Greece shuts down from 1pm to 5pm as UK tourists issued warning | World | News

British tourists on holiday in Greece could face disruption as local authorities impose a mandatory work ban amid a heatwave sweeping the country. Greece’s Labour and Social Security Ministry banned outdoor work between 1pm and 5pm last week, applying to outdoor manual labourers and food delivery workers in several regions.

The measure was implemented on Wednesday, July 22, in central Greece, Thessaly, the Peloponnese and the Attica region, including the capital city of Athens. Officials also ordered employers to offer their staff remote work options as health concerns rocketed alongside temperatures, with the mercury reaching the low 40s.

Alongside manual labour and food delivery workers, couriers and shipyard employers were also ordered to stop work between 1pm and 5pm to avoid heat-related illness.

While last Wednesday marked the end of a four-day period of excessive heat, temperatures are expected to rise again in the coming days, with highs of almost 40C set for Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

It comes as soaring temperatures in southwestern Europe force thousands to flee wildfires in France and Spain, with Greece among the countries also providing or expected to deploy water to help tackle the blaze.

The latest wildfires have displaced more than 250,000 people, including some 70,000 people who were evacuated in central Spain.

Forests and scrublands have been turned into tinderboxes by successive heatwaves that hit the continent unusually early and hard, delivering record-shattering high temperatures.

Greece was put on the highest alert level for wildfire danger as temperatures reached around 42C.

The UK Foreign Office updated its advice for travelling to Greece this month, warning of an increased wildfire risk.

“There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October,” it said.

“Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location.

“To avoid starting wildfires, leave no litter, especially not glass which is known to start fires, make sure cigarattes are properly extinguished and do not light barbecues.”