Hungary has begun a gradual reopening after recording more than 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccinations.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban said restrictions would ease once a quarter of the country's 9.77 million population was given at least one vaccine dose and is sticking to that plan, despite weeks of record deaths.
The reopening comes on the same day data revealed 311 people have passed away from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the country's highest daily figure so far.
While it may be higher due to a lag in reporting over Easter, the number of cases and hospitalizations is still growing.
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Doctors had warned against opening up again, with some even suggesting that six or seven million vaccinations were needed to reach herd immunity. However, Orban insists the virus will be fought by vaccines rather than restrictions.
In a video announcing the vaccination milestone on Wednesday, he said, "For a year, we have been living with restrictions, curfews, and personal losses. The virus has waged a war against us. The only weapon that promises victory is the vaccine. We doubled the number of people vaccinated in one month."
His government plans to have another million people vaccinated in the next two weeks.
With the news that non-essential businesses could reopen, hairdresser Kinga Gangel returned to her salon after a month of forced closure. She's been home-schooling her two children and has found the last year, particularly the latest closures, hard on her family.
"Well, that one month was a pretty big loss of money. We're looking forward to our old life and to the return of our customers, who've not been here," she said. Many of her clients have been waiting for her to reopen, booking up appointments for the next two weeks.
Staff at a flower shop set up merchandise in the window as several lockdown restrictions are lifted. /AP
The customers are already back at an interiors showroom across the road, eager to choose products in person rather than online. Norbert Szabo, part-owner of Momento Design, explained his business had still been able to operate online but he felt people were glad to come in and choose items again.
He is optimistic about the country's position in the fight against COVID-19, confident the swift vaccination plan will help life return to normal.
From Wednesday, non-essential business can reopen, with one customer per 10 square meters. The country-wide curfew has been pushed back to 10 p.m., allowing shops to extend their hours. The next stage will be students returning to school, which is scheduled for April 19.