The circular issued by the Ministry of the Interior due to the upcoming “Kleon” heat wave foresees teleworking for the vulnerable groups and flexible working hours in the State.

In particular, the circular describes the protection measures for the health of public servants as well as the way public services operate during days with extremely high temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius

In particular, for civil servants who belong to vulnerable groups, the application is foreseen telecommuting. If this is not possible, due to the nature of their duties, then they can not come to their service by making use of a special permit. Their belonging to the vulnerable groups is established on the basis of the relevant data already held for the employee or in collaboration with the Service’s Medical Examiner or the occupational doctor or upon presentation by the employee himself of a relevant medical opinion, from which the condition can be derived.

What is provided for those who do not belong to the vulnerable groups?

As for civil servants who do not fall into vulnerable groups, they will also be able to offer their services by teleworking, and where this is not possible, flexible arrival and departure hours will be implemented. Especially for employees whose duties require working outdoors, they should use the prescribed personal protective equipment, while it is recommended to avoid working during the peak hours of the heat (12.00 – 17.00).

Reschedule an appointment

In order to avoid the suffering of citizens, but also to protect their health, it is clarified that any appointments with Public services scheduled during the peak hours of the heat wave should be rescheduled at the discretion of the services.

In any case, all public services and State agencies must provide their services to the citizens without interruption and ensure their smooth operation.

Which are considered vulnerable groups?

Vulnerable groups, according to the circular instructions of our Service and the above relevant circular instructions of the co-competent Ministries of Health and Labor and Social Security include:

• Employees aged 60 and over
• People with chronic cardiovascular or respiratory diseases or lung disease
• Cancer patients undergoing treatment
• People with serious neurological and mental diseases, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy.
• People with diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, kidney disease, liver disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, hemoglobinopathy (sickle cell anemia).
• Pregnant and lactating women
• People with blood pressure disorders
• People who are overweight or obese, high body mass index (>30)
• People who, for purely medical reasons, take medication for their chronic illnesses, such as e.g. diuretics, anticholinergics, psychotropic drugs, hormones (including insulin and antidiabetic tablets).
• People with an acute illness, such as an infection with fever or gastroenteritis