(AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh)BUDAPEST – Demonstrators in Hungary’s capital broke a ban on public gatherings on Monday to demand an end to the country's lockdown restrictions, even as a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations sweeps the country. The demonstration was organized by a far-right party, Mi Hazank Mozgalom (Our Homeland Movement), and joined by some 1,000 people. They demanded an end to pandemic restrictions that have been in effect for more than four months and have placed a heavy burden on the country's economy. AdA survey published last week by Eurofound, a European Union agency, found that a smaller proportion of Hungarian workers received wage subsidies than in other country in the 27-member bloc. AdThe protest marked the March 15 national holiday, which celebrates the Hungarian revolution and war of independence of 1848, a national uprising against the ruling Austrian Habsburgs.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The president of the University of Virginia has announced new COVID-19 restrictions which he describes as mostly preemptive because students have been doing the right thing. UVa president Jim Ryan announced the new restrictions in a video on Tuesday, and they went into effect on Wednesday, The Daily Progress of Charlottesville reported. Ryan said the restrictions will last for at least the next two weeks. Ryan said if students don’t abide by the new number, additional measures may be taken, including imposing a curfew. UVa will continue in-person classes during the next two weeks and will continue to step up testing, Ryan said.