A charter flight carrying British and EU citizens from Havana, Cuba recently landed at MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire.

The passengers in transit had been on the Braemar cruise ship belonging to Fred Olson Cruise Lines.

The Royal Air Force say that the flight contained military medical staff that monitored the passengers in transit, with passengers now transiting to a quarantine centre.

“With authorities worldwide battling to contain the spread of the virus and many airlines suspending their flight schedule, the British government has stepped in to repatriate UK and EU citizens.”

What else are the military doing?

• 150 troops are learning to drive oxygen tankers to supply hospitals

• Soldiers are preparing to fill some roles in police, prison service & border force

• Reservists are also likely to be called up

In addition, the Armed Forces are on standby to assist with civil emergencies and the MoD are deploying nurses, surgeons and other healthcare trained personnel to assist where required.