The plants of Sevel, Honda and most other companies in Val di Sangro in the Abruzzo region were also shut down on Monday, while the first shift at the FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) plant in Melfi, Sicily, was suspended.
Over the weekend, streets were closed, trains delayed, airplanes grounded and ferry services suspended due to snow and heavy winds, particularly in the regions of Abruzzo, Molise, Puglia and the southern area of Le Marche.
Sub-freezing temperatures were also considered factors in the deaths of eight people across Italy over the weekend, most of them homeless.
Firefighters have intervened a reported 1600 times over the past 48 hours to provide assistance and monitor areas at risk.
The situation remains critical in Puglia, where homes and hospitals have been isolated by the snow, especially in the province of Bari, where schools were closed on Monday.
A number of towns in the region's Murgia area were surrounded by two metres of snow and isolated, including Cassano, Altamura and Santeramo.
Sub-freezing temperatures were also reported in parts of Calabria, including the cities of Cosenza, Catanzaro and Vibo Valentia, and in Sicily, including Messina.
Cold weather has also gripped Rome with many fountains in the city centre, including in St Peter's Square and Piazza della Repubblica, dripping icicles rather than water.
On Sunday Pope Francis appealed to God to "warm our hearts so we'll help" the homeless through the bitter weather.
With ANSA
