The Saudi Arabian government has imposed a mid-day ban on outdoor work starting from today (June 15) for the next three months in a move aimed at mainly protecting construction workers who are vulnerable to heat stroke and dehydration.

The mid-day ban makes it illegal for anyone to work outdoors between 12 pm and 3 pm, reported Saudi Gazette, citing a senior official from the Ministry of Labor and Social Development.

All employers have been instructed to ensure their workers stay out of the sun for three hours during the three-month period ending on September 15, stated Fahd Al Owaidi, undersecretary for inspections and improvement of the work environment at the ministry.

However, there will be exemption in some regions of the kingdom in view of the low temperatures there, he added.

Also oil and gas workers as well as maintenance workers who do emergency duty will be exempted from this regulation, Al Owaidi was quoted as saying by the Saudi Press Agency.

However, measures must be taken to protect them from the hazards of the scorching sun, he added.