Confusion whether construction workers should be working on sites in Flintshire and Wrexham

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that Britons will only be permitted to leave their homes for basic necessities, such as for groceries or for medical needs, for one form of exercise a day, and to go to work if "absolutely necessary".

And following the announcement, the question was raised whether construction workers - who are not listed as key workers - should continue to go to work.

Responding to the question, cabinet minister Michael Gove said "some" construction workers should still travel to building sites – but he stressed that not all of them should.

He said: "There are some construction workers who should continue to work, it should be the case that when it comes to appropriate construction work, we need people to exercise common sense."

And Housing Minister Robert Jenrick tweeted shortly after the Prime Minister's announcement saying: "If you are working on site, you can continue to do so”, as long advice on safe working distances was adhered to.

But following the comments, people have been left confused as to whether workers on sites at homes, for instance, should be working on them.

A resident of Victoria Road in Brynteg in Wrexham, where Wrexham Council contractors are working on roofs on several houses, said "surely this can't be classed as essential".

A spokesman for Wrexham Council said: “The Government today (Tuesday) announced that construction should continue if it follows the social distance rules.

"Contractors will continue to do what they deem sensible and will continue where possible. It is also important to complete works, especially roofs and where we have excavations, to prevent them remaining exposed.

"All Council non-essential work has stopped.”

Ewloe-based Anwyl Homes said while, following Government advice, subcontractors are continuing to work on developments, it is in the process of "enacting a full shutdown" of its development sites.

A statement said: "In response to customer concerns about subcontractors working on developments.

"In line with the Housing Minister’s guidance, Robert Jenrick, construction sites are able to stay open. That said, at Anwyl Homes, we take the safety of all our staff and homeowners extremely seriously and are therefore in the process of enacting a full shutdown across all our sites.

"This shutdown involves finishing plots that are due to complete this week and next, particularly for those purchasers who work in the emergency services or are vulnerable and require their home in order to self-isolate. It will also involve several sub-contractors present to make the site safe, in order to comply with Health and Safety regulations. I’m sure you can appreciate that this work is essential at this time to keep everyone safe.

"We thank you once again for your support and hope this helps to reassure you."