MADRID (AP) 鈥� Spain says it plans to ban outdoor work during periods of extreme heat.
Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda D铆az told reporters Wednesday that the government will modify legislation covering occupational risks to prohibit outdoor work when the state weather agency, AEMET, issues red or orange alerts.
The agency frequently issues such alerts when temperature increases pose a risk for citizens outdoors or for the environment.
Last year was Spain鈥檚 hottest since record-keeping started in 1961, and last month was the on record.
Much of the country is experiencing drought, and water reserves are below 50%.
D铆az, who is also labor minister, said that the modifications would be announced by Spain鈥檚 Cabinet, but gave no further details.
The government will hold a special Cabinet meeting on drought measures on Thursday.
It wasn't immediately clear how the measure announced by D铆az would apply to workers such as farmers, farmhands, police, firefighters, gardeners or cleaners.
In places accustomed to high temperatures, such as Spain鈥檚 southern Andalusia region, construction workers already work only morning hours during the summer.
A temporary while working in Madrid last year.
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