Up to 20,000 military personnel are being put on standby in a new Covid Support Force and could “backfill” police counter terrorism roles, act as prison guards or help with Border Force checks. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “Maintenance of public order is for the police and there are no plans to use military personnel for public order during the coronavirus pandemic.” Police chiefs confirmed discussions were ongoing but said there was no current indication that soldiers will be needed.

Assistant Chief Constable Owen Weatherill said: “The military will probably be called on by the NHS before we need to do it”. Troops will be trained to drive oxygen tankers if the health service runs short, while army medics will work in hospitals to ease demand on doctors and nurses.

Tented field hospitals or casualty receiving ship the Argus could also be used to ease a capacity crisis.

Sources yesterday revealed the Ministry of Defence has also held discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care about treating the sick in barracks.

A senior military source said: “Whether that is a barracks, tented cities, we are going through it.

“A hotel near a hospital might be a more sensible thing to do than a tent or a barracks.”

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