Barcelona to open 227 heatwave shelters this summer

As temperatures in Barcelona easily surpass 30ºC during the summer months, the city's council has announced today they will be offering 227 heatwave shelters for citizens to refresh in, 30 more spaces compared to last year's number. 

Indoor and outdoor spaces such as libraries, museums, and kindergarten schools will provide seating and water for people who are more sensitive to heat to be able to isolate from it.

 "Making municipal equipment accessible is one of the Barcelona council's top priorities in every area. Therefore, accessibility for people with reduced mobility is guaranteed as well," says Deputy Mayor for Urbanism, Laia Bonet. 

These heatwave shelters are located throughout the city in order to give maximum coverage to citizens. 

Bonet added that 97% of city residents will have a heatwave shelter less than 10 minutes away from their house.  

The council will also provide protection from the heat to the public workers on the street, for example giving them earlier shifts in order to avoid "high exposure hours."