Home Secretary Priti Patel told LBC radio that she plans to “double the sentences” for people convicted of deliberately coughing on key workers to put them at risk of catching Covid-19.

“They will feel the full force of the law,” she said. “We’ve seen some people be convicted and rightly.”

Ms Patel said she was looking “right now” to increase sentencing powers.

Coughing or spitting at someone if it is intended to cause harm or fear can be prosecuted as common assault, with a maximum sentence of six months in prison or two years if it is against an emergency worker on duty.

Last month, railway station worker Belly Mujinga died after being spat at by a man claiming to have Covid-19.