Around 61% of people in the UK wore face coverings in the last week, the head of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.

Appearing on Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Sir Ian Diamond stated that this was up 50% on the week before, adding that week on week more and more people are wearing face coverings across the country.

He continued: ‘In Scotland 77% of the population were using it for shopping and that I think will continue to go up as it’s become mandatory, in England [it was] 40%, but of course as that becomes mandatory next Saturday we will see that increase as well.

‘Certainly people are using face coverings and it is becoming the norm in many parts of society.’

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Sir Ian also said there hadn’t been any uptake in the number of coronavirus infections as the government continues to relax lockdown measures. He noted that if people continue being careful a ‘relative flatline’ could be expected at the moment.

He added: ‘Clearly over the autumn we will need to be ever vigilant.’

When asked if Public Health England data on the number of deaths is fit for purpose he said: ‘It’s really important to recognise that different statistics are used for different things and so the PHE data are basically aimed to look at trends over time.

‘If you want to know the accurate data on deaths my recommendation is to go to the ONS data. We believe very firmly, as does everyone, that the very best person to take a decision around what’s the cause of death is the medical practitioner who is there at the time.

‘Someone who has Covid but then gets run over by a bus – it is inconceivable a medical practitioner is going to say the cause is Covid-19.’

From Friday it will be compulsory for people in England to wear face masks in shops, as it is on public transport. The rules have already been brought in in Scotland and anyone caught without a face covering could be fined up to £100.

The guidance has sparked a mixed response from the public, with some arguing that mandatory masks violate their human rights. The government hope that wearing them will encourage more people to return to work and be confident going shopping.

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