Work on the soon-to-be tallest building in Newcastle is continuing despite the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Hadrian's Tower development, a 27-storey tower which looms over the city centre, is due to be completed later this year.
Restrictions on construction projects were not included in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s stark address to the nation last Monday evening announcing the lockdown.
Halting work on Hadrian's Tower would mean an unfinished skyscraper on the city's skyline which could become a poignant image of a North East stopped in its tracks by the global pandemic.
The firm carrying out the building work - Tolent - have confirmed that work is continuing for now but conceded that could change.
A spokesperson for Tolent said: "The health and wellbeing of our colleagues and supply chain partners continue to be our number one priority throughout this highly dynamic situation.
"All welfare procedures and systems on sites that remain open are fully compliant with the guidelines issued by the Government via the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, to ensure that all teams can and are adhering to the 2m social distancing rule.
"We continue to monitor the situation diligently and will adapt accordingly to any subsequent advice from the Government.'
All non-essential retail was ordered to close as the Government ratcheted up its lockdown to slow the spread of Covid-19 but some are calling for more.
Gail Cartmail, the general secretary of Unite, told the BBC last week that 'photos of crowded construction canteens will horrify the general public and in particular the loved ones of construction workers who fear for their safety'.
When finished, Hadrian’s Tower will have 162 apartments with striking views across the city and a champagne bar on its roof.
