FAQ about Key Workers published at 13.20 on Friday 20 March (check official page for later changes)
WHAT ABOUT KEY WORKERS?
Schools and childcare providers are being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children, including those whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.
The Government has published a list of categories of workers whose children will be prioritised. It includes “religious staff” – such as parish clergy and chaplains whose work is critical to the Covid-19 response.
All parents are being asked to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and schools are remaining open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. Clergy who wish to confirm that their role is necessary to the continuation of an essential public service must contact their bishop for approval.
That list of clergy approaching their bishops seeking to become key workers won’t include me sorry. Credit to those who do though.
It should surely be the other way round: bishops should be asking their priests if they, the bishops, are key workers.