The list of jobs which are classed as “key workers” has been released by the UK Government.
It is one list for the UK and includes Wales and was released in the early hours of Friday morning.
Frontline health and social care staff, people involved in food production and delivery, and utility workers are included in the list.
The list, which Welsh Government has confirmed is the same for Wales, is important as it will determine people who get, for example, continued childcare when schools close after today.
This list will allow children of these "key workers" to still go to school. The list will now be used by schools to plan how they can care for these children when they close to other pupils after today.
The Department for Education said: "If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision."
The list has been separated into eight categories, including health and social care, key public services - such as those essential to the running of the justice system, religious staff, charities and journalists - and transport.
Those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery are also included, along with "administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response" in local and national government.
Vulnerable children will also be included and the Government outlined that they are children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.
Schools in Wales will close by Friday at the latest and education minister Kirsty Williams warned there is no expected date for when they will reopen.
She told an Assembly committee on Thursday that it could be that schools don’t reopen until after the summer holiday.
If workers think they fall within the critical categories above they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.
If your school is closed then please contact your local authority, who will redirect you to a local school in your area that your child, or children, can attend.
But schools have warned they can only accommodate a limited number of children.
Commenting on the list of key workers, Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “This is a very long list and could result in some schools having the majority of pupils attending.
"This will not achieve the goal of slowing the spread of the virus. So it is vitally important that parents follow Government advice to keep their children at home, wherever possible.
"Schools can only accommodate a limited number of children and the fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread.”
Downing Street has today said on Friday that children who do not need to take places should not.
"If children can safely stay at home, they should. Everybody must play their part".
