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Bars and restaurant terraces in Spain could be forced to close during heatwaves
Outdoor services will be suspended across Spain when temperatures hit 42°C unless businesses meet strict requirements to protect staff
If you’re planning to enjoy a drink or meal outside during one of Spain’s increasingly intense heatwaves, you could find some terraces closed when temperatures become dangerously high.
New rules covering the hospitality sector require outdoor areas to close when temperatures rise above 42°C or when AEMET issues an orange or red warning for extreme heat, unless the business has suitable measures in place to protect its workers.
The rules form part of the Sixth National Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Hospitality Sector, agreed earlier this year by hospitality employers and trade unions.
Businesses that want to keep their terraces open during extreme heat will need to provide effective protection. This can include thermal insulation, water misting systems or industrial fans designed to reduce the impact of the heat.
There are also rules covering how staff work during the hottest part of the day. Employers are expected to reorganise shifts to reduce exposure between 1pm and 6pm, rotate workers where necessary and make sure employees have constant access to fresh drinking water.
When an orange warning is issued, businesses must assess whether their outdoor areas can continue operating safely. A red warning for extreme heat means terrace service must be suspended unless suitable and functioning protection systems are in place.
If a terrace does have to close, workers should be moved to indoor duties where possible. If that isn’t possible, the agreement states that their pay should not be affected because of the weather-related closure.
The rules apply generally to hospitality businesses with outdoor service areas, regardless of their size.
The Labour Inspectorate will be responsible for checking that businesses are following the requirements. Inspectors can look at everything from cooling and shade measures to staff rotas and access to drinking water.
Businesses that fail to protect workers or continue outdoor service when it should have been suspended could face fines of up to €50,000, depending on the seriousness of the breach and whether there have been previous offences.
For customers, there’s no need to panic about every hot day. The rules are specifically aimed at extreme heat and official weather warnings, meaning your favourite terrace isn’t automatically going to shut whenever temperatures rise.
Image: Archive
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