Budapest, May 17 (IANS): The Hungarian government has decided to lift restrictions on movement in the capital, Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared.

"The number of new cases also decreased in Budapest, therefore the government is ending the restrictions on movement in the capital as well," Orban said on his Facebook page on Saturday, following a meeting with experts and members of his government, Xinhua news agency reported.

Orban added that the regulations for the capital would follow the easing measures introduced in the countryside two weeks ago, meaning that from Monday, the open spaces of restaurants and hotels can open, along with playgrounds, baths and zoos, and the shops will be allowed to stay open as long as they want.

"We brilliantly won the first battle against the epidemic thanks to the measures introduced early, and to the discipline of citizens in the countryside and in the capital," Orban stressed.

In order to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, restrictions on movement were imposed in Hungary from March 28 and citizens have only been allowed to leave their homes and places of residence for the purpose of going to work or meeting other essential needs.

According to official figures, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Hungary stood at 3,473 on Saturday, with 1,371 recoveries and 448 fatalities.