The heat wave continues to sweep the country for an 8th day and temperatures today will reach as high as 42 degrees Celsius. Warm air masses from the coast of North Africa towards our region continue to cause very high temperatures in our country, which will be maintained until Friday (19-7-2024), with the National Weather Service continuously updating the emergency weather bulletin.

The highest temperatures will occur in the interior of mainland Greece, mainly in the west, central and north.

According to the EMY special bulletin

Today (16-7-2024) the maximum temperature will reach:
a. In Macedonia, Thrace and Epirus 40 to 41 and locally 42 degrees Celsius.
b. In western Sterea, Thessaly and western Peloponnese 41 to 42 degrees Celsius.
c. In eastern Sterea and eastern Peloponnese 40 to 41 and locally 42 degrees Celsius.
d. In the Ionian Sea, the East Aegean islands, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 37 to 39 degrees Celsius.
e. In the rest of the island country 34 to 36 degrees Celsius.
f. 38 to 39 degrees Celsius in Attica.

On Wednesday (17-7-2024) and Thursday (18-7-2024) the maximum temperature is predicted to reach:
a. 41 to 42 degrees Celsius in the interior of the western, central and northern mainland and possibly 43 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
b. In the Ionian Sea, the East Aegean islands, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 38 to 40 degrees Celsius.
c. In the rest of the island country 35 to 37 degrees Celsius.
d. 39 to 40 degrees Celsius in Attica.

On Friday (19-7-2024) mainly in the northern part of the country there will be instability phenomena and the maximum temperature will drop slightly and is forecast to reach:
a. 37 to 39 degrees Celsius in the northern mainland and 40 to 41 degrees Celsius in the rest of the mainland.
b. In the Ionian Sea, the East Aegean islands, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 37 to 39 degrees Celsius.
c. In the rest of the island country 34 to 36 degrees Celsius.
d. 38 to 39 degrees Celsius in Attica.

Extraordinary measures for the protection of private sector workers

The Ministry of Labor and Social Security is taking emergency measures to address the heat stress of private sector workers from the heat wave, which is expected to prevail from today until Friday, July 19, 2024.

Following the announcement of the National Meteorological Service (EMY) regarding the upcoming heat wave and after consultation with the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in a circular dated 15/7/2024, is taking emergency measures to address the heat stress of private sector workers.

In particular, taking into account the relevant circular of June 3, 2024 (No. 34666): “Prevention of heat stress of employees” of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the new circular, which was published, provides the following:

The new publication of the new notice, which was published in the new edition of the new law, states that the new rules of the new regulation are now in force.
Mandatory work stoppage

a) For today, for the employees of companies located mainly in Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, western and eastern Sterea Greece, Thessaly and western and eastern Peloponnese, where, according to the 15/07/2024 Special Weather Forecast (EDEK), particularly high temperatures are expected to prevail, it becomes mandatory to stop work for the period of 12:00-17:00, in manual work performed outdoors. Indicative examples include work on technical and construction projects, construction sites, distribution and transport of products and objects by two-wheeled vehicle (delivery), etc., when the temperature is equal to or above 40° C.

b) For Wednesday 07/17/2024 through Friday 07/19/2024

For all workers in businesses, for manual work performed outdoors when the temperature is equal to or above 40° C, it becomes mandatory for them to stop work between 12:00 and 17:00. Indicatively, work in technical and construction works, construction sites, distribution and transport of products and objects with a two-wheeled vehicle scooter, skates, etc. (delivery), etc.

c) It should be noted that especially for work in a shipbuilding zone, the obligation of the above provisions applies to temperatures above 38°C.

d) If the measure of the suspension of distribution operations is applied, the option of ordering with takeaway directly from the shop may be kept active, as well as the possibility to carry out distribution by private vehicles, except for two-wheelers and other means of the previous subparagraph, as defined in Article 2 of Law 2696/1999, under more specific terms or conditions, provided that they are equipped with air conditioning.

ε) The cessation of work does not apply to economic activities involving important and socially critical infrastructure in the fields of health, transport and utilities (health care facilities, water supply, electricity, air transport, handling, maritime, land and rail transport), provided that the other technical and organisational measures of Circular No. 34666/03/06/2024 “Prevention of thermal stress of workers” are taken, including the organisation of working time.

f) In case of non-compliance with the measure of compulsory cessation, the Labour Inspectorate shall impose a fine of EUR 2,000 per employee of the enterprise.

Provision of remote work by means of the teleworking system

For employees with a dependent employment relationship in the private sector of the economy who belong to high-risk groups, especially in cases of exposure to aggravating conditions in areas where, according to the Special Weather Forecast of 15/07/2024, particularly high temperatures are expected to prevail, the possibility of remote work, if it is feasible by the nature of their work.

Exceptional measures for the organisation of working time

In order to facilitate employees in the event of any change in the time of their arrival and departure from work, employers may not register in advance in the “ERGANI” Information System any change in the organisation of working time.

Telework and flexible working hours in the public sector

If teleworking is not possible and there is no leave balance, employees belonging to vulnerable groups may be excused from work due to the heatwave. The application of this measure requires the presentation of a medical certificate.

In particular, for civil servants who belong to vulnerable groups, the application of teleworking is envisaged. Where this is not possible due to the nature of their duties, they may opt out of the service using special leave. Their inclusion in the vulnerable groups shall be established on the basis of the relevant data already held on the official or in cooperation with the medical officer of the service or the occupational doctor or on production by the official of a medical certificate from the medical officer himself, stating that he has a medical condition.

According to a circular issued by the General Secretary of Public Administration, Dimitris Kirmikiroglou, civil servants who do not fall into vulnerable groups will also be able to offer their services by teleworking, and where this is not feasible, flexible hours of attendance and departure will be applied. In particular, employees whose duties require them to work outdoors will be required to use the personal protective equipment provided, and it is recommended that they avoid working during peak heatwave hours (12.00-17.00).

In order to avoid inconvenience to citizens and to protect their health, it is specified that for any appointments with public services scheduled during the peak hours of the heatwave, there is the possibility, at the request of citizens, to re-evaluate their realization. In this case, these public services are obliged to reschedule a new appointment or to serve them directly even without an appointment, if there is a question of exceeding deadlines, at another time of the same day or on another day in an emergency.

The circular points out that in any case, all public services and public bodies must provide uninterrupted services to citizens and ensure their proper functioning.

Very high fire risk for 6 regions

The heatwave and windy weather bring an even higher risk of fires and according to the Civil Protection map for today (16/7), a very high fire risk (risk category 4) is forecast for the following regions:

-Region of Crete
-Region of Attica
-Region of Peloponnese (Region of Corinthia, Region of Argolida, Region of Laconia)
-Region of Sterea Ellada (PE Boeotia, PE Evia, PE Fthiotida)
-Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace (Evros, Rodopi, Xanthi)
-Region of North Aegean (PE Lesvos, PE Chios)
-Region of North Aegean (PE Lesvos, PE Chios)
-Region of Western Greece (PE Ilia, PE Achaia)

The weather today

Generally clear weather with only in the midday and afternoon hours in the western and northern highlands will develop occasional clouds.

The temperature will be very high and will reach:
a. In Macedonia, Thrace and Epirus 40 to 41 and locally 42 degrees Celsius.
β. In western Sterea, Thessaly and western Peloponnese 41 to 42 degrees Celsius.
c. In eastern Sterea and eastern Peloponnese 40 to 41 and locally 42 degrees Celsius.
d. In the Ionian Sea, the East Aegean islands, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 37 to 39 degrees Celsius.
e. In the rest of the island country 34 to 36 degrees Celsius.
f. 38 to 39 degrees Celsius in Attica.

The winds will blow from the north from 3 to 5 Beaufort and in the Aegean Sea 6 and sometimes 7 Beaufort.

FORECAST TOMORROW WEDNESDAY 17-07-2024
Generally clear weather with occasional clouds in the midday and afternoon hours in the western and northern mainland.
Winds will blow from the north 3 to 5 Beaufort, in the Aegean Sea 6 and locally up to 7 Beaufort.
The temperature will remain at very high levels and will reach:
a. In the interior of the western, central and northern mainland 41 to 42 and possibly 43 degrees Celsius.
b. In the Ionian Sea, the East Aegean islands, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 38 to 40 degrees Celsius.
c. In the rest of the island country 35 to 37 degrees Celsius.
d. 39 to 40 degrees Celsius in Attica.
It should be noted that the minimum temperature values will be particularly high and will be around 27 to 29 degrees Celsius.

FORECAST FOR THURSDAY 18-07-2024
Generally clear weather with occasional clouds in the midday and afternoon hours in the western and northern mainland and it is possible in the northern mountains that there will be local rainfall.
Winds will blow from the north 4 to 6 and in the Aegean Sea locally 7 Beaufort.
The temperature will remain very high and will reach:
a. In the interior of the western, central and northern mainland 41 to 42 degrees Celsius.
b. In the Ionian Sea, the East Aegean islands, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 38 to 40 degrees Celsius.
c. In the rest of the island country 35 to 37 degrees Celsius.
d. 39 to 40 degrees Celsius in Attica.
It should be noted that the minimum temperature values will be particularly high and will be around 27 to 29 degrees Celsius.

FORECAST FOR FRIDAY 19-07-2024
Generally clear weather. In the midday and afternoon hours there will be some clouds on the mainland, with local rain and possibly isolated thunderstorms in the northern mountains.
Winds will blow from the north at 4 to 6 Beaufort and in the Aegean Sea locally 7 Beaufort.
The temperature, although it will drop slightly in the north, will remain high and will reach:
a. 37 to 39 degrees Celsius in the northern mainland and 40 to 41 degrees Celsius in the rest of the mainland.
b. In the Ionian Sea, the East Aegean islands, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 37 to 39 degrees Celsius.
c. In the rest of the island country 34 to 36 degrees Celsius.
d. 38 to 39 degrees Celsius in Attica.

FORECAST FOR SATURDAY 20-07-2024
Generally clear weather. In the midday and afternoon hours, clouds will develop in the western and northern mainland and local rainfall is possible, mainly in the mountains.
Winds will blow from the north from 3 to 5 and locally in the Aegean Sea 6 Beaufort.
The temperature will not change significantly.