
Greece on Tuesday (July 16) ordered some businesses notto let their employees perform heavy outdoor duties during afternoon hours this week amid soaring temperatures. Citing the labour ministry, a report by the news agency Reuters said that builders, food delivery riders, couriers, and shipwrights are among those having to pause work from midday till 5:00 pm (local time) from Tuesday to Friday (July 19).
The waitstaff at beach establishments would also be prohibitedfrom serving customers until 5:00 pm. The ministry has been conducting inspections, imposing hefty fines on employers, and revokinglicences from non-compliant establishments.
Greece has already seen high temperatures since last month, and the mercury is expected to reach 43 degrees Celsius byThursday.The heatwave is being fueled by warm air masses moving from North Africa across Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
Meteorologists havesaid that temperatures in Greece would not drop by much before the end of the month.
With most of Greece seeing little or no rain in months, many of its islands, which draw millions of tourists over the summer, are also grappling with water shortages.
On Thursday, theHellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) issued a new emergency weather report warning of a dangerous heat wave engulfing Greece.
A report by the Greek City Times said that coastal areas wouldexperience slightly lower temperatures. Meanwhile, minimum temperatures are also expected to remain high, hovering between 27 to 29 degrees Celsius in most areas of the country.
(With inputs from agencies)