The health and beauty giant said the initiative was designed to ensure “no member of staff should be worse off financially because of the crisis”.

The retailer will ensure full pay for parents who are unable to work remotely or in another business position as a result of school closures, and full pay, backdated to March 16, for anyone unable to work due to sickness or self-isolation.

AS Watson said any staff affected by distribution centre, service or store closures would either be redeployed or, if that is not possible, paid in full.