Coronavirus news you might have missed overnight: UK pubs closing as Americans in lockdown

Action comes as World Health Organisation tells partying young people: 'You are not invincible'

The coronavirus pandemic continues to cause chaos across the UK and around the world. Here’s your morning briefing of everything you may have missed overnight.

Pubs and restaurants shut down in bid to beat virus

Bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, leisure centres and theatres were all closed as of midnight on Friday.

Announcing the unprecedented measures earlier in the day, prime minister Boris Johnson said the situation would be reviewed on a monthly basis.

It follows similar action taken in a swathe of other countries including Ireland, France, Spain and Italy.

Government to pay wages of staff not being used by employers

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the government would cover 80 per cent of salaries for employees who are kept on by companies even when there is no work.

He said the job retention scheme would pay out as much as was needed for as long as the pandemic lasted, and would be open to all firms suffering as a result of coronavirus.

The unprecedented intervention is expected to save hundreds of thousands of jobs – but could cost into the hundreds of billions of pounds.

Doctors to be issued with guidelines to help decide who should live and die

NHS medics are to be given criteria on who to prioritise if hospitals run out of intensive care beds or ventilators.

The guidelines – expected to be issued on Saturday – are a recognition that doctors may be forced to play god as huge numbers of patients overwhelm the system.

Potentially, it could see a person already on a ventilator removed to allow a someone with a greater chance of survival to take their place.

New London Underground announcement tell people they should not be using service

The tube will stay open during the crisis, Boris Johnson has insisted, because it is needed by critical workers.

But no-one else should be using it, officials say.

A new PA announcement carried over the network’s speakers cpuld be heard telling users on Friday night: “All TfL services are now solely focussed on ensuring critical workers can move around as needed. You should not be using public transport or travelling for anything other than essential journeys.”

Supermarkets to hire tens of thousands

The UK’s biggest chains – including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl – have all said they will take on thousands more staff to cope with increased demand during the pandemic.

More cleaners, assistants, shelf stackers, delivery drivers, warehouse pickers and stock takers would all be needed, bosses have said.

Tesco has announced it will take on 20,000 new workers; Aldi 9,000; Morrisons 3,500 and Lidl 2,500. Most will be temporary although some are expected to be permanent roles.

Twenty per cent of Americans now in lockdown

The US states of Connecticut and New Jersey have joined Illinois, California and New York in ordering residents to stay at home in a bid to combat the contagion’s spread.

In total, that now means one in five Americans are currently in lockdown, the BBC estimates.

"These provisions will be enforced," said New York governor Andrew Cuomo. "These are not helpful hints."

World Health Organisation tells young people: you are not immune

The WHO intervention comes amid mounting evidence adults in their 20s and 30s are not taking seriously the need to social distance and minimise contact.

Scenes showing parties, packed bars and crowded beaches around the world have shocked the organisation.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general, said: “You are not invincible. This virus could put you in hospital for weeks or even kill you. Even if you don't get sick the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else."