IRNA – The Iranian government has announced a two-day closure of the offices and businesses to protect the people from an unprecedented heatwave in the county.
Government spokesman Ali Bahadori said on Tuesday that closures cover working weekdays of Wednesday and Thursday as temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). The announcement came a day after Iranian health minister Bhram Einollahi warned about the impacts of the current heatwave on daily lives of the people and said that closures may be needed over the weekend to ensure it will not worsen health conditions. Iran's deputy minister of health Saeed Karimi said on Monday that all medical centers across the country will be on alert to treat people suffering from conditions caused by the heatwave. Karimi said children under four, people over 65 and individuals suffering from diabetes, blood pressure and heart disease would be more vulnerable to the impacts of the hot weather.