A LIST of key workers has been released following the government's school closures announcement.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced on Wednesday that all schools will shut their gates on Friday afternoon, and will remain closed until further notice.

Read more: Coronavirus: All Herefordshire schools to close by Friday

But, the education secretary said, the closures would not apply to vulnerable children and those of key workers, who will still be able to attend school.

The drastic measure has been taken to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Here is the list of workers whose children will be prioritised for schooling:

Health and social care

This includes frontline health and social care staff - such as doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, as well as support and specialist staff in the health and social care sector. In addition, those working in supply chains, including producers and distributors of medicines and personal protective equipment are included.

Education and childcare

This includes nursery, teaching staff and social workers, as the department said these workers are required to deliver their plans.

Key public services

Those required to run the justice system, religious staff, as well as those responsible for managing the deceased and journalists providing public service broadcasting are on the list.

Local and national government

The list "only includes administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response or delivering essential public services", including payment of benefits.

Food and other necessary goods

The list includes those involved in the production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of food.

Public safety and national security

Police, support staff, Ministry of Defence civilian staff and armed forces personnel are on the list, along with fire and rescue staff, as well as those responsible for border security, prison and probation staff.

Transport

The list includes those who will keep "air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the COVID-19 response".

Utilities, communication and financial services

Staff required to keep oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations running are on the list, along with those in the civil nuclear, chemical and telecommunications sectors. Those in postal services and working to provide essential financial services provision are also included.

The government advice states that: "Children with at least one parent or carer who are identified as critical workers by the government can send their children to school if required."

However, they were keen to stress that if parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response are able to keep their child at home safely, they should do so.

Further announcements are expected in the coming days, as questions still remain as to how, when, or even if, students will be able to sit their exams this summer.