A 'KEY worker' has urged the public to follow Government advice and "please stay at home" to prevent the coronavirus from spreading further.

The Brighton resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Argus she feels "infuriated" that people appear to be ignoring the guidance on social distancing this weekend.

She said: "I'm a single mum with two children. I work in a school in Brighton and Hove, looking after the children of other key workers.

"To see people completely disregard the Government advice is terrible.

>> HUNDREDS FLOCK TO SEAFRONT DESPITE GOVERNMENT ADVICE TO STAY HOME

"What kills me, and what I cannot fathom, is why the UK people are not doing their part and listening.

"There are hundreds of people out today. Yes it’s sunny, but you are putting people in danger.

"These people think they are doing something small but a lot of small mess-ups are going to contribute to a big problem.

"People are being so blasé but they need to think of the bigger picture."

Last week the Department for Education published a list of 'key workers' whose children will be able to attend schools despite closures due to the coronavirus.

These include front line health and social care staff, social workers and others working to keep the public safe, such as police and the fire service, as well as transport workers and those involved in food production and sales.

The single mother said she fears that the virus spreading further will put people at even greater risk, as she and other workers may be prevented from looking after the children of other key workers including NHS staff and the emergency services.

She said: "The government is putting a lot of pressure on key workers. I love this country but it’s stressful.

"We are the ones on the front line with this. If you can stay home, please at stay home.

"Boris Johnson asked pubs and bars to close and yet on Friday I was still getting phone calls from friends to see if I wanted to come out for 'one last bash'.

"I’m not going out to encourage the spread of this. It's going to make it harder for us to look after the children of the police, care workers and the NHS.

"If you want to play Russian Roulette with your own life that’s one thing, but you're putting others at risk.

"We need to be working as one with this, rather than what society is used to doing."

Official Government advice on social distancing includes avoiding large and small gatherings in public spaces and avoiding gatherings with friends and family.

Yesterday as the sun came out, hundreds of people could be seen on the seafront in Brighton and Hove.