The severe heatwave that hit Italy more than a week ago and has been blamed for multiple deaths continues today, Italian news agency ANSA reported, BTA reports.
Due to the dangerously high temperatures, the Health Ministry has declared a red alert in 18 major cities, including Ancona, Bologna, Milan, Palermo, Rome and Florence. From tomorrow, the number of affected cities will increase to 20 with the inclusion of Venice and Pescara.
The red alert is issued when the heat is so intense that it endangers not only vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the chronically ill, but also healthy people.
In response to the critical situation, the Ministry of Labor signed a new protocol to deal with extreme heat, together with unions and employers. According to the agreement, workers can no longer be required to work outdoors during the hottest hours of the day. An official government decree is pending to put the measure into effect.