Tourists going to Greece and neighbouring North Macedonia have been warned they may have to stay indoors during their holidays as predictions of another crippling heatwave have been made for the region, bringing with it a set of strict daytime restrictions.
Greek authorities are warning that a week long heatwave could arrive right in the middle of the busy summer season in the holiday hotspot.
Dangerous wildfires, like those seen in 2023, could return with much of Europe forecast to endure swelteringly high temperatures again.
The Ministry for Civil Protection and Climate Change said winds from Africa would bring temperatures of over 40C until at least July 19.
People in Greece including tourists have been told to wear light clothing, drink lots of water and avoid long walks during the hottest daytime hours.
In North Macedonia, which borders Greece, people have been told to stay indoors and avoid any manual labour during the hottest period of the day.
More emergency measures have just been announced including pregnant women and those over 60 being stopped from going to work, and limits on construction work between 11am to 5pm.
Wild fires have broken out in parts of Greece already, with officials calling it ‘the most dangerous in 20 years’.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is warning of “a particularly dangerous” summer due to the dry and windy conditions sparking wildfires and evacuations in Greece, adding: “The most difficult times are still ahead of us.”