Amazon has confirmed that it will distribute temperature checks and face masks for staff at all its US and European warehouses and Whole Foods stores by early next week.

The e-commerce giant, which had recently reported Coronavirus cases among warehouse staff and faced several demonstrations, told Reuters it would use no-contact forehead thermometers at site entrances and send anyone home that registered more than 38 Celsius.

All locations will have surgical masks available soon, after millions were ordered weeks ago, according to Amazon.

A statement explained that the company will also use machine learning software to monitor building cameras and determine whether employees are staying at safe distances during their shifts, or whether they are huddled too close together.

Meanwhile, ASOS has refuted claims by workers that it has been “impossible to socially distance” in its warehouses.

The online fashion retailer has refused to close operations, with employees at its warehouse in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, walking out over fears that they were being put in danger of contagion.

Official government guidelines state that people must stay six feet away from each other to prevent the virus spreading, however workers complained that they were sat three feet away from one another in several directions. They also claim to have been told not to wear masks at work as it was not part of their uniform.

A worker ASOS’ Barnsley site stated on Twitter: “I am telling you me and my colleagues we are really afraid to go to work, it is impossible to keep a safe distance inside the warehouse.”

ASOS refuted the allegations, stating: “We are striking the right balance between keeping our warehouse operational for the good of employees and the wider economy, and maintaining the health and safety of staff.

“An environmental health officer visited and was happy.”

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