Need to close hive but don't know how

I saw a mesh bag for sale on Mann Lake or one of the other beekeeping supply sites. Sorry I don’t have the link for you. It was basically a laundry bag made of very fine mesh, sold for exactly your situation.

If you can’t find it, Home Depot has material that could be used to make one. It will be less disruptive than moving hives and you can easily let the bees out when the coast is clear.

Enci—I am not sure how dangerous this might be—shutting the bees in their hive with the hot weather we have been getting could cause a serious overheating of their home—they would be unable to gather water to spread on the walls of the hive to regulate the temperature. The brood nest needs a constant 94-96 degree environment—not too hot and not too cold.
In very hot weather I have seen combs fall out of the frames if the bees are unable to keep the heat low enough. You don’t say how much time the work is actually going to be taking. Could you possibly erect a temporary screen around the hive—the 6 ft reed fencing they sell in a roll at home depot? This would direct their flight path up and over people’s heads but allow for traffic flow.