Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda are among the retailers who have said they will not challenge customers failing to wear a face covering and that it falls on police to penalise people.

John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation for England and Wales, said forces do not have the capacity to ensure every person who enters a store is wearing a face covering, and urged shops to refuse entry to anyone not obeying the law.

Boris Johnson has warned of “tough times ahead” as coronavirus will haunt the UK “until the middle of next year” – one week after appearing to promise “normality by Christmas”.