Free PPE is part of the new Adult Social Care Winter Plan which has been drawn up to support care homes and home care services through the winter months.

A £546m Infection Control Fund will also be accessible to Care Homes and Home Care care services so they can pay care workers full sick pay if they have to self-isolate.

Matt Hancock, Health and Social Care Secretary, said: “We are entering a critical phase in our fight against coronavirus with winter on the horizon. Our priority over the next six months is to make sure we protect those most vulnerable receiving care and our incredibly hard-working workforce by limiting the spread of the virus and preventing a second spike.

“This Winter Plan gives providers the certainty they need when it comes to PPE and provides additional support to help care homes to limit the movement of staff, stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives. We will be monitoring the implementation of this carefully and will be swift in our actions to protect residents and colleagues across the country.”