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With Cyprus baking under extreme heat, the government has issued a midday suspension of outdoor work in a bid to protect workers from dangerous conditions.
The Labour Inspection Department announced that due to the ongoing orange-level heat alert issued by the Meteorological Service, all outdoor heavy and moderate labor, as well as deliveries using two-wheeled vehicles and personal mobility devices, must stop between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The directive remains in effect as long as the heat warning is in place.
The mandatory pause affects inland areas, those below 300 meters in elevation and more than 10 kilometers from the sea, as well as high mountainous regions above 1,150 meters.
The suspension includes activities like construction, roadwork, and food delivery services that involve motorcycles or scooters. “In these conditions, exposure is not just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous,” the department said.
Work smarter, not harder, especially in the heat
Outside of the restricted zones, where lighter work is permitted, employers are still expected to follow safety guidelines aimed at minimizing heat stress. These include:
- Providing cool drinking water (between 10–15°C)
- Organizing frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas
- Ensuring workers wear light, breathable clothing and headgear
- Rotating duties to limit prolonged exposure
- Avoiding heavy meals and caffeinated or alcoholic drinks
The guidelines also stress monitoring temperature and humidity levels and adjusting workloads accordingly. For instance, if temperatures climb to 41°C in the shade, work must be halted when humidity exceeds 43% for light tasks, 38% for moderate, and 33% for heavy labor.
The Labour Ministry emphasized that both employers and self-employed individuals are responsible for protecting themselves and their staff from heat-related illness and injury.
Record heat drives urgency
The warning comes as temperatures across Cyprus hover above 40°C, with no relief in sight. Health and labor authorities are concerned that prolonged exposure could lead to heat exhaustion, dehydration, or worse.
Cyprus has seen multiple days under high-alert warnings this summer, underscoring the effects of a shifting climate on daily life and work habits.
For further information and support, residents are encouraged to visit the Labour Inspection Department’s thermal stress webpage at https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/dli/dli.nsf/index_en/index_en?OpenDocument or contact the nearest district office:
Nicosia: 22 879191
Limassol: 25 827200
Larnaca: 24 805327
Paphos: 26 822715
Famagusta: 23 819750
