The health secretary has defended the Cabinet not wearing face coverings after Boris Johnson advised people to wear masks, saying they are “not strangers”.

A photo of the crowded Cabinet meeting yesterday showed none of them wearing masks ahead of the prime minister laying out his winter plan, in which he said people should wear face masks in crowded spaces.

But Health Secretary Sajid Javid said this was “perfectly consistent” with that messaging.

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He told Sky News: “Because what we said was people should consider wearing masks in crowded places when they are with strangers, with people they’re not normally spending time with.”

Asked whether MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday should wear masks, following the advice, Mr Javid said: “They’re not strangers.”

He admitted people are influenced by others, but said: “Every individual should make the decision based on the advice they’re given and the situation they find themselves in at the time.”

The winter plan states: “Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed settings where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet.”

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