Paris Imposes Temporary Alcohol Ban Amid Heatwave to Ease Hospital Strain

Paris. To reduce the pressure on hospitals due to the extreme heatwave spread across Europe, temporary restrictions have been imposed on alcohol consumption and sales in public places in France's capital, Paris. According to French authorities, alcohol consumption will not be permitted in public places from 12 PM on Friday to 7 AM on Saturday, and from Saturday evening to Sunday morning.

Similarly, the sale of alcohol for 'takeaway' has also been stopped during these periods. However, this restriction will not apply to licensed bars and restaurants.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that due to increased health risks from the heat, high alert has been maintained and additional health workers will be deployed to hospitals. Paris Police Chief Patrice Forle stated that this decision had to be taken due to the excessive patient load in hospitals. Meanwhile, United Nations Climate Change Chief Simon Stiell has called for increased use of renewable energy, forest conservation, and accelerated climate adaptation measures, calling Europe's severe heat a clear sign of the climate crisis.

Due to the continuously high temperatures, France has set a new record for its hottest day for the second consecutive day. According to the Meteorological Department, the average minimum temperature reached 22 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, while the night temperature in the city of Nantes was measured at 27.2 degrees Celsius. France's Health Minister Stéphanie Rist has stated that the extreme heat is affecting not only the elderly but also the youth. According to her, ambulance services in Paris registered four times more heart attack incidents in 24 hours compared to normal conditions.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire has also indicated a rise in mortality due to extreme heat, urging especially the youth not to run or engage in strenuous physical exercise during the afternoon. Meanwhile, the extreme heatwave is expected to move towards Eastern Europe. Temperatures in Germany are forecast to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius on Friday, and an extreme heat warning has also been issued in the Czech Republic. In Italy, temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius by next Monday.