Cyprus heatwave outdoor work bans

In late July 2026, governments in Cyprus, Northern Cyprus and Greece responded to an extreme‑heat warning by suspending outdoor work during the hottest part of the day. The bans covered construction, delivery and other open‑air tasks and were timed between roughly 12:00 – 16:00 (Northern Cyprus) and 13:00 – 17:00 (Greece) as temperatures climbed above 40 °C.

A week later, Northern Cyprus announced a further prohibition on outdoor work from 5 August to 15 August, again limiting activity to the midday hours of 12:00 – 16:00. The authority cited the same heat‑wave forecasts and reiterated the health risks to workers, noting that a similar ban had already been in force from 22 July to 1 August. The later order extended the protective measures for another ten days, allowing employers to shift work to earlier hours while maintaining productivity.

The August decree, issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, specifically targeted construction and agriculture, urging firms to reschedule concrete pours and material transport. Labour Minister Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu announced inspections and warned that violations could lead to legal action, underscoring the broader effort to protect public health during the prolonged heat episode.

Overall, the situation shows a regional pattern of temporary outdoor‑work restrictions being renewed as the heatwave persisted, with authorities emphasizing worker safety and operational adjustments throughout the period.