Tuesday strike and schools facing the heat: an update
A public service strike will disrupt Brussels and Wallonia this Tuesday, while the heatwave is forcing some schools to adapt their schedules. The WHO is warning about health risks linked to the extreme heat, which is also affecting Belgian prisons. Meanwhile, floods are once again hitting the south of the country.
Expect significant disruptions in public services this Tuesday, mainly in Brussels and potentially in Wallonia. The joint trade union front (a coalition of several unions) is calling for mobilization to demand more investment in essential sectors. Public transport and local administrations could operate at a slower pace during this day of protest.
If you have school-aged children, check communications from their institution, as several schools are encouraging parents to keep younger children at home or to pick them up starting at noon. With temperatures reaching 35°C, classrooms are becoming difficult to endure, although exams scheduled for the morning are still being held. Current regulations do not provide for an automatic suspension of classes in the event of high heat, leaving the final decision to school management.
Extreme heat is now classified as a "health emergency" by the World Health Organization (WHO), having caused more than 200,000 deaths in Europe over the last four years. In Belgium, this situation is worsening conditions in already overcrowded prisons, where a lack of ventilation and overcrowding are causing temperatures to soar, putting pressure on both inmates and prison staff.
In Velaine-sur-Sambre, families have once again been affected by flooding that occurred this Sunday morning. Exhausted residents have had to restart cleaning their homes, which they had barely finished after previous difficult weather episodes.
To follow the development of the situation and the weather, go to the News section of the app. You can also discover the thank-you message left by the Iranian team in the locker rooms or the success of the Anderlecht 12 km race.