SCHOOLS in Denbighshire are set to remain open to care for the children of nearly 2,000 key workers.

Denbighshire County Council said it has arranged child care provision for 1,900 key workers tackling the “unprecedented” coronavirus outbreak.

It comes after Welsh Government Education Minister Kirsty Williams said all schools would close by the end of Friday, March 20.

All but four Denbighshire schools in will make themselves available as centres from Monday, March 23 during normal school hours. The only exceptions are Ysgol Trefnant, Ysgol Pendref in Denbigh, Ysgol Llanbedr and St Asaph VP.

For children who normally go to a school which is not opening, the council will inform those families and allocate them a place in the most appropriate school.

Guest pupils will be accompanied by available staff from their home school.

Catering facilities will also be available each day.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, cabinet member for education and children’s services, said the council’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak is “changing on an hourly basis” and criticised the Welsh Government for a lack of “clarity and guidance”.

“This kind of situation is completely unprecedented and we have been working very hard with our schools to make sense of what is happening and making sure that we are providing consistent and up to date advice in what is a fast moving situation,” he said.

Cllr Hilditch-Roberts criticised the Welsh Government for “clarity and guidance that has not been forthcoming” over how to respond to school closures while parents are seeking answers.

He said Denbighshire County Council has “pressed” the Welsh Government on free school meal deliveries, examinations and how long schools should expect to be closed.

“In the meantime, and with the clock ticking, we have decided to put in place plans for key staff we have identified or who have been in touch with us,” he said.

“That has been done with national guidance in mind, to protect the health and well-being of our children and young people, to adhere to social distancing advice and to avoid mass gatherings.

“The situation is ever changing and we are making a commitment to communicating with school communities as much as possible.

“Hopefully the arrangements being put in place will settle into a routine quickly and provide some peace of mind to parents and guardians and for communities.”