It remains unclear why it has taken the government more than two months to make face coverings compulsory on public transport and called for the policy to be extended to all places where social distancing is not possible.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), most of whose members work in UK government departments and other public bodies, is considering taking industrial action in response to the chaotic scenes on the parliamentary estate as MPs queued to vote on Tuesday.

The UK was more focused on the NHS than care homes during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak according to the environment secretary, George Eustice.