JUST a few hours after Thurrock Nub News reported on messages from local schools to parents and carers about the closure of local schools, the government has added to confusion by delaying an announcement about who will be classified as key workers – and whether one or two parents counts!

Many Thurrock schools contacted the parents of their pupils this afternoon, asking them to get in touch if they were 'key workers'. See story

However, late this evening (Thursday, 19 March) the situation changed as the government, speaking through Health Secretary Matt Hancock on BBC Question Time tonight, said an announcement about who is a key worker will now not be made until tomorrow - describing it as an "awful situation".

He said: "The list will be published tomorrow. We know we've got to get it out tomorrow because schools are closing to everybody else on Monday"

"This is a decision nobody wanted to take. This is an awful situation.

""It will include NHS staff and social care, and those working on the supply of medical devices."