Government spokesperson: ‘All the scientific evidence confirms that this summer will be exceptionally difficult’

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis. ANA – MPA/KOSTAS TSIRONIS




The heatwave currently affecting Greece and the government measures to deal with the high temperatures dominated a press briefing given by government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis on Thursday.

He advised the public, especially those in vulnerable groups, to exercise caution and follow the state’s recommendations and highlighted the measures issued by the labour and social insurance ministry for the protection of the workforce from heat stress.

“All the scientific evidence confirms that this summer will be exceptionally difficult. The fire fighters, along with all the civil protection forces, are fighting battles daily and have managed to deal with dozens of dangerous fires before these have had a chance to threaten the lives and property of our fellow citizens,” he said.

He noted that the fire department rapidly placed a number of wildfires and the fire in a Kifisia factory under control on Wednesday, before these spread, and that conditions will be even more difficult on Thursday, with temperatures as high as 43C accompanied by winds, increasing the risk of fire even further.

Marinakis said that the state mechanisms are on high alert and appealed to the citizens to avoid any sort of hot work or activity, which could “cause untold destruction”.

The spokesperson then referred to legislation that has been submitted to Parliament, to cross check that vehicles are up to date with insurance and road tax payments, as well as a programme to create fire breaks in municipalities surrounded by forests.

He concluded the press briefing by announcing that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is scheduled to chair a meeting of the cabinet on Friday and visit Burgenstock in Switzerland on Saturday to participate in the Ukraine Peace Summit on June 15-16.

 

Source: ANA – MPA

 

Heatwave continues with highs of 40-plus centigrade on Thursday; cooler on Friday

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