On the Ukrainian-Hungarian section of the border in the Transcarpathian region, there is a significant increase in cars to enter Ukraine, said the head of the Transcarpathian regional state administration Viktor Mikita.
“In the case of Hungary, these queues stretched for several kilometers and sometimes reach 800 cars. The situation on the Slovak-Ukrainian border is somewhat better, but it also causes concern. People are in vehicles for several days, in the heat and without proper sanitary conditions,” Mikita wrote on Facebook.
He noted that queues are formed only for vehicles that are sent to Ukraine for customs clearance. General traffic, tourists and transit moves calmly, there are almost no queues.
“As for the queue that has arisen, there are a number of objective and subjective factors. Traffic has increased hundreds of times, cars for customs clearance go not only from Hungary, but also from the Baltic states, Poland and others. A significant part of the car does not have properly executed documents, which greatly complicates the pass and registration. There are other operational factors that require immediate optimization,” Mikita said.
From August 7, 2021, citizens of Ukraine can cross the Ukrainian-Hungarian border without restrictions imposed in connection with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, for the entry of citizens into Hungary, the requirements determined by the Schengen Borders Code (biometric passport/visa, medical insurance valid in Europe, financial security) remain.
“An exception is entry into Hungary by air, in particular it additionally requires a negative PCR test result for COVID-19, a test should be made no later than 72 hours at the time of entry, or a Ukrainian or Hungarian vaccination certificate [together with citizens who have a certificate, children under 18 can also enter without restrictions],” the report said.
For transit through the country, representatives of the Hungarian border authority may additionally require documents confirming the right to enter the country of destination (depending on the requirements of a particular country: residence permit, work visa, hotel booking, virus test results, etc.).
The service also recalled that the Hungarian competent authorities, in accordance with the current legislation, impose administrative fines on foreigners who have exceeded the permitted period of stay in the Schengen countries before the introduction of quarantine measures by these countries (a fine from 5,000 to 50,000 forints/$15-150).
If the period of stay in the countries of the Schengen zone has ended after the introduction of quarantine measures by these countries in order to avoid a fine, citizens who cross the Hungarian border must documentary proof to the Hungarian competent authorities that they were in quarantine, or that documents for the extension of the permit period have been submitted to the relevant authority, etc. (there must be a document from an official body).
At the same time, each case is subject to careful scrutiny and is considered on an individual basis.
