Possible red weather warnings could force bars and restaurants to shut their outdoor terraces
Brits heading on holiday to Spain this summer have been warned over possible red weather warnings which could bring extreme heat and dampen prospects for alfresco dining.
A climate pattern called El Niño, which brings extended warm conditions across the Pacific Ocean every two to seven years, is expected to push up temperatures and may result in red weather alerts throughout Spain. At present, predictions are still under review, but the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has suggested it might be a ‘strong event’ this year, indicating exceptionally sweltering temperatures over the next few months.
These hot temperatures won’t just mean holidaymakers will need to take extra care and stay out of the sun at peak times, but could also impact other parts of your trip such as dining out. This is because a change was recently made to the National Labour Agreement for the Hospitality Sector (ALEH), which protects employees including waiters and waitresses, meaning that during spells of extreme weather bars and restaurants will be obliged to close their outdoor seating areas on health and safety grounds.
According to Majorca Daily News, when Spain declares orange or red weather warnings owing to extreme temperatures, restaurants and bars with outdoor terraces will be required to either reduce or cease alfresco service entirely. They may, however, carry on serving patrons indoors. Establishments must also guarantee sufficient air conditioning systems are fitted inside, or modify employee rotas to minimise the effects of the heat.
Establishments that breach the new rules – for example by forcing serving staff to operate outdoors during a red alert – could face penalties exceeding €50,000 (approximately £43,000) levied by the nation’s Labour and Social Security Inspectorate, reports the Mirror.
Areas of Northern Spain are presently under an orange weather alert following a 40C heatwave which was followed by rain and thunderstorms. Earlier this week, a yellow warning was declared in areas of Andalucía as afternoon temperatures reached the 40s, and the conditions are expected to intensify as the bustling summer period hits its height, which might force diners indoors.
A decrease in outdoor dining isn’t the sole change Britons will experience this summer. Holiday-makers arriving at Spanish and other EU airports will now be obliged to use the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which has reportedly caused extensive queues at some of the busiest airports. Additional Spanish cities, including the port of Vigo, are rolling out visitor levies in a bid to curb the impact of overtourism, while Barcelona is diverting cruise ships to a dock further from the city centre to combat overcrowding.
Spain already enforces plenty of of regulations that British holidaymakers must follow, including a clampdown on vaping and smoking in public areas, limits on appropriate footwear while behind the wheel, and a ban on going shirtless in certain well-known beach resorts.
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