ST. LOUIS — Two top St. Louis officials are at odds over whether City Hall should shut its doors to the general public because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Aldermanic President Lewis Reed is urging Mayor Lyda Krewson to close the building to the public and to keep only essential employees there and across city government on duty.

But the mayor’s spokesman said the number of people entering City Hall already has been greatly reduced and that some important services need to remain staffed.

Reed in a news release said he had gotten calls from city workers in various locations who he said are afraid they may be exposed to COVID-19. “No one’s life is worth risking for a pothole to be filled,” he said.

Krewson’s spokesman, Jacob Long, said Tuesday that hundreds of city employees — many based at City Hall — already have been working from home.

Moreover, he said the recent closure of a motor vehicle/driver licensing office operated by the city collector of revenue has significantly reduced the number of people from the public coming into City Hall.