The Labour Ministry has announced emergency measures to protect workers during the heatwave that will last from today until Saturday 26 July, with maximum temperatures expected from tomorrow 22 July until Friday 25 July, reaching 42°C-43°C.
Today, temperature will reach 40 degrees in several parts of the country, mainly in Central Macedonia, Thessaly, Eastern Sterea and the Peloponnese.
In Athens and Thessaloniki today the temperature will reach 38°C, tomorrow Tuesday 39°C and on Wednesday, 39°C in Thessaloniki and 40°C in Athens.
The ban on outdoor work also applies to delivery, with shops being allowed to remain open for takeaway deliveries.
In areas with particularly high temperatures (e.g. Thessaly, Sterea, Peloponnese), outdoor work is prohibited from 12:00 to 17:00, such as work on technical and construction projects, construction sites, shipbuilding and repair zones, distribution and transport of products and objects with two-wheeled vehicles, scooters, delivery vehicles, etc.
The closure will not apply to economic activities involving “important and socially critical infrastructure in the health, transport and utilities sectors (e.g. health facilities, water supply, electricity, air transport, handling, maritime, land and rail transport), provided that other technical and organisational measures are taken”, according to the notice.
For workers in the private sector belonging to high-risk groups, measures should be taken by companies for remote working.
