by Summary for 21st March
- Death toll passes 11,000, confirmed cases pass 275,000; nearly 90,000 recovered
- Spain death toll jumps by more than 300 to 1,326, another grim record for the country
- One in five Americans soon to be under 'stay at home' order
- Britain wakes up to shuttered pubs, restaurants and cafes
- China reports no new locally-transmitted cases for third consecutive day
- Sydney closes its famous beaches, including Bondi, due to overcrowding
- After months fighting the virus, Singapore reports first two deaths
9:00
The government on Friday told cafes, pubs and restaurants to close.
The prime minister warned that the ban would be enforced "strictly" - if necessary through licensing rules.
The government also announced new measures to help those at risk of losing their jobs, saying it would pay 80% of wages for employees who are not able to work - up to £2,500 a month.
The move, which was described as being "unprecedented" by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, is an attempt to stop workers being laid off due to the crisis. The Confederation of British Industry has described it as a "landmark" measure.
Meanwhile, the number of deaths in the UK rose to 177 on Friday - with 167 in England, six in Scotland, three in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
The government says policies to limit the spread of coronavirus would be needed for "at least most of a year".
Across the country public life is shutting down. Schools, pubs, leisures facilities and most shops have already been closed.
But now the state of Bavaria has pushed through unprecedented restrictions — from today people will only be allowed people to leave their homes if really necessary, such as to get to work or buy essential provisions.
Other parts of Germany are closing down all restaurants and cafes this weekend and banning gatherings of more than just a couple of people.
In some places large groups have still been meeting in parks — sometimes even crowds of young people are getting together for so-called outdoor “Corona parties”.
Now pressure is building to introduce a curfew for the whole of Germany. The government has warned that if people don’t avoid social contact, a nationwide ban on going outside could be announced tomorrow, when Chancellor Angela Merkel meets regional leaders for a crisis meeting.
A spokesman for Angela Merkel said: How the public behaves today will be decisive.
Authorities said the pair both had suffered from previous health conditions.
The city-state has been lauded by the World Health Organization for its response to the outbreak – until now suffering no fatalites despite being one of the earliest countries to report cases of the virus.
But despite its determined efforts, 40 new cases were reported in Singapore as of yesterday. Most of them are attributed to travellers returning from Europe, the US and other parts of Asia.
Providing income protection for the self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak is operationally difficult, according to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Barclay.
Speaking to the BBC's Today Programme, Mr Barclay said: "We are looking at operationally what we can roll out to people."
It comes as the government faces criticism that its plan to underwrite the wages of millions of workers does not cover freelancers, contractors and the self-employed. ...
The country has banned outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people.
However, large crowds of people are still flocking to beaches across Sydney, flouting advice to stay inside.
Police were called to Tamarama beach after a large number of people refused to leave, despite being asked by lifeguards.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the beachgoers' behaviour was "unacceptable" and called on local councils to step in to ensure people are complying with the social distancing advice.
But there are reasons, even amid the darkness, to feel hopeful. Or at least a little better about the situation we all find ourselves in.
People around the world are banding together to help the elderly and vulnerable; families and old friends who haven't talked in years are re-connecting by video call; and cities have been showing their appreciation of health workers by applauding them from balconies.
Looking at the environment, pollution levels have plunged in many places. In Venice, which has long suffered from over-tourism, the famous canals are remarkably clear and fish can even be seen.
On Monday, we're going to bring you a day of live coverage focusing on the positive stories, like these, that are emerging from the coronavirus crisis.
But for now - have a read of this piece . We hope it makes you feel a little better
The city’s governor Aswin Kwanmuang said that, from 22 March, all malls will be closed for 22 days along with boxing stadiums, salons and arcades.
Those violating the order face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 100,000 baht ($3,000), or both.
Thailand reported 89 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, taking the national total to 411. The new cases have been linked to earlier infections from a boxing match, an entertainment complex and a religious gathering in nearby Malaysia.
Of those infected, 366 are currently being treated, while 44 have recovered.
Today's figures show that the country kept that up for a third day in a row on Friday. That's the good news.
But there is some cause for concern. There were 41 new cases of imported infection confirmed on Friday - 14 of them in Beijing and nine in Shanghai.
That takes China's tally of confirmed cases involving people who have come in from overseas to 269. Students and expatriates have been returning home from the US and Europe, where ever tighter restrictions are coming into force.
So far no transmission from these overseas arrivals to local communities have been reported but Chinese heath authorities are imposing tough measures to stop a second wave of infections.
Paul Johnson said if the support was claimed for 10% of employees it could cost the Government £10 billion over three months.
In a move previously considered unthinkable for a Conservative government, employers will be able to apply to HM Revenue and Customs to cover 80% of the wages of staff they keep on up to £2,500 a month.
Mr Johnson said: "The cost of the wage subsidy package is unknowable at present but will run into several billion pounds per month that it is in operation.
"It is clearly a policy designed in haste and will require considerable speed and flexibility from HMRC to deliver. As a result there are obvious concerns about its design."
When asked how the measures will be funded, Mr Johnson told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme that at the moment "this is all going to be paid for by borrowing".
Social distancing means avoiding unnecessary contact with other people and spending less time in public places, where a lot of people are around.
Everyone in the UK is now advised to follow self-distancing measures, especially the over-70s, pregnant women and adults normally eligible for a flu jab.When social distancing you must work from home where possible and avoid all unnecessary travel and public gatherings.
You can go for a walk or run outdoors if you stay 2m (6ft) away from others, go to the shops to buy groceries, see family and friends if it's essential, walk your dog, and provide essential care for elderly residents and neighbours - if you have no symptoms.
People that show coronavirus symptoms , or live with someone who is showing symptoms, have been asked to self-isolate.
Self-isolating means staying at home and not leaving it, other than for exercise.
This means you cannot go to work, school or public areas during this time and if possible, you should not go out even to buy food or other essentials.
If you are unable to get supplies delivered, you should do what you can to limit social contact when you do leave the house.
For more on social distancing and self-isolation, click here.
President Trump said on Thursday that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved the drug for use in treating the new coronavirus, but that's not true.
It's an approved drug for malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, but that's it.
But there is some hope. Some doctors say it has appeared to help Covid-19 patients, and lab studies show it seems to block the virus.
However, and this is crucial, clinical trials are still under way.
Read more from our Reality Check team here.
He was visiting his in-laws in Canepina in late February - when the first cases were reported in Italy. At the time, public messaging around coronavirus was unclear, and “Italians have a profound distrust of politicians”, which meant most dismissed it as "a bunch of nonsense and annoyance”.
He then went to Hong Kong to visit a sick friend – and was taken aback by the measures in place. An in-flight announcement warned passengers to be proactive, there was detailed screening at the airport, and the few people out in public wore masks.
A week later, he flew to Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia had its first cases in late January – yet “very few people were wearing masks, the airport didn’t seem curious at all about where I’d been”, and he went to a temple where about “200 people shared lunch at a long table”. Since then, case numbers have shot up, and the government has ordered a two-week lockdown.
He says his trip felt a bit like a “travelling across time… I think a lot of these countries are doing a similar journey, where the first stage is disbelief, doubt and annoyance, and the second stage is more shock and compliance.”
What could the West learn from Asia?
Here is some of the latest news we're getting from elsewhere in Asia:
There has also been a significant rise in the total number of Covid-19 cases recorded across the country. In just one day almost 5,000 more people have been confirmed to have the virus, bringing the total registered number to 24,926.
Spain is now thought to be the world's third-heaviest hit country, behind Italy and China.
Local reports say that hospitals, especially in the Madrid area, are struggling to cope with the rise in cases. The Spanish government locked down public life last weekend to try to stem the outbreak.
Along with other measures to cope with the increased demand, some of the chains have embarked on big recruitment drives for a total of more than 30,000 jobs.
Tesco, Asda, Aldi, and Lidl said they would hire thousands of staff after hugely increased demand saw shoppers clearing shelves.
Sainsbury's has asked shoppers to stay 1m away from shop staff if possible, to help keep them safe.
It comes as supermarkets have been overwhelmed by a wave of panic-buying.
To combat the stockpiling, in recent days the major British supermarkets imposed limits on how much of each item shoppers can buy .
Tesco, the UK's biggest supermarket, wants to take on 20,000 temporary workers "to help feed the nation", it said.
Aldi announced it was looking to fill 5,000 new temporary posts and take on 4,000 permanent new workers for jobs in all its stores and distribution centres.
And Lidl said it would create about 2,500 temporary jobs across its 800 stores in the UK.
(More to be added throughout the day)
Supermarkets have seen their shelves stripped of essential items such as toilet rolls, hand sanitiser, paracetamol, meat, fruit and vegetables.
The stockpiling has led to supermarkets introducing limits on the amount of some items sold, with golden shopping hours introduced to help the elderly and NHS and care workers.
Stores are also taking on thousands of temporary and permanent workers to deal with the increased demand from the Covid-19 crisis.
The government will speak to leading supermarket chains on Saturday to see what the authorities can do to ensure the shelves remain stocked and the supply chains can cope with the demand.
He said: "The crucial thing is that we need people to calm down and only buy what they need and to think of others when they are purchasing."
Asked about the availability of farm labour, Mr Eustice says that there will be increased UK food production from May - and staff will begin to move around to facilitate that.
"We anticipate we will be able to supply the labour to ensure we continue that harvest," he says.
"Your action will save somebody's life - it is as simple and as stark as that," he says
He adds there is no shortage of food. "We think it is better that individual retailers or retailers together make judgements" regarding restrictions on any particular product.
Mohammad Javad Moradian, the director of the province's emergency services centre, told Isna news agency that Covid-19 had killed 13 people in Fars, while 66 have died after drinking industrial-strength alcohol.
A persistent rumour in Iran claims that drinking alcohol helps protect individuals from contracting the virus.
Iran has now confirmed 20,610 cases and 1,556 deaths from the disease.
"Unfortunately, while our athletes are willing to push themselves to the athletic limit in pursuit of Olympic success," the letter states, the chances that they will be able to train and compete as normal "does not appear likely in the midst of this global crisis".
"We certainly understand the ramifications of this request," the USATF letter continues, adding, "but this position at least provides our athletes with the comfort of knowing that they will have adequate time to properly prepare themselves physically, mentally and emotionally to be able to participate in a safe and successful Olympic Games".
USA Swimming has already asked for a postponement.
On Friday, Norway’s Olympic committee became the first country to ask for a delay and, on Saturday, Brazil’s Olympic committee proposed holding the games in 2021.
So far the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has resisted calls to push back the summer games, which are due to begin in late July.
The Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA) and the World Players Association (WPA) - two organisations that together represent over 100,000 athletes - have also called for the IOC to review their plans.
In Singapore, health officials said there were two fatalities on Saturday:
In Finland, the first fatality was announced on Saturday by the country's National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
The victim was an elderly resident of the capital Helsinki, the THL was quoted as saying by the Yle news website.
The institute provided no further details, citing patient confidentiality.
In Mauritius, the authorities also confirmed the country's first fatality. They said the person had recently travelled from Belgium via Dubai.
No further details were given.
The mayor's office is in talks with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) about block booking rooms at a discounted rate for the next 12 weeks.
It comes as rough sleepers are deemed more at risk, as they are considered significantly more likely to have underlying health conditions - including respiratory problems - than the wider population.
Mr Khan said rooms would provide "vital protection" for rough sleepers, who are less likely to be able to follow Public Health England advice on self-isolation, social distancing and hand-washing.
At a news conference on Saturday he said that young people in particular have been ignoring orders not to gather in groups, and that it tends to me happening in the city’s parks.
Mr Cuomo said that he planned to visit a park "to see what the situation is myself".
"I don’t care frankly. This is a public health issue and you cannot be endangering other peoples’ health," he said. "You shouldn’t be endangering your own" either.
New York state has confirmed more than 10,000 cases - 6,211 of them are in New York City.
New York is now the US state most affected by coronavirus, with more than one person dying per hour on Friday.
In Moscow, I get the sense that some feel the coronavirus threat is overblown and Russia won’t get the worst of it.
That’s partly because their leaders, whilst closing borders and limiting public gatherings, still talk of a "foreign threat". They also contrast Europe’s "chaos" with their own "timely" prevention methods.
Many Russians are still shaking hands, perhaps taking their signal from the top: state TV keeps showing President Vladimir Putin doing the same, only the Kremlin has everyone tested for coronavirus first.
But crowds on the streets are thinning as galleries and other venues are shut. On Saturday, gyms, pools and sports clubs finally joined the list.
Meanwhile, it’s emerged that an infectious diseases doctor down in Stavropol who failed to self-isolate after a trip to Spain is being treated for coronavirus.
Local reports say hundreds of people she came into contact with on returning to work are now being tested.
- Death toll passes 11,000, confirmed cases pass 275,000; nearly 90,000 recovered
- Spain death toll jumps by more than 300 to 1,326, another grim record for the country
- One in five Americans soon to be under 'stay at home' order
- Britain wakes up to shuttered pubs, restaurants and cafes
- China reports no new locally-transmitted cases for third consecutive day
- Sydney closes its famous beaches, including Bondi, due to overcrowding
- After months fighting the virus, Singapore reports first two deaths
9:00
Coronavirus UK: In case you missed it
As governments around the world seek to slow the spread of the coronavirus, here are the main updates for what is happening in the UK.The government on Friday told cafes, pubs and restaurants to close.
The prime minister warned that the ban would be enforced "strictly" - if necessary through licensing rules.
The government also announced new measures to help those at risk of losing their jobs, saying it would pay 80% of wages for employees who are not able to work - up to £2,500 a month.
The move, which was described as being "unprecedented" by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, is an attempt to stop workers being laid off due to the crisis. The Confederation of British Industry has described it as a "landmark" measure.
Meanwhile, the number of deaths in the UK rose to 177 on Friday - with 167 in England, six in Scotland, three in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
The government says policies to limit the spread of coronavirus would be needed for "at least most of a year".
‘Public life shutting down’ in Germany
Germany has one of the highest rates of coronavirus infections in the world, with almost 20,000 confirmed cases. Officials are now trying to slow the spread of the virus, and have announced drastic measures.Across the country public life is shutting down. Schools, pubs, leisures facilities and most shops have already been closed.
But now the state of Bavaria has pushed through unprecedented restrictions — from today people will only be allowed people to leave their homes if really necessary, such as to get to work or buy essential provisions.
Other parts of Germany are closing down all restaurants and cafes this weekend and banning gatherings of more than just a couple of people.
In some places large groups have still been meeting in parks — sometimes even crowds of young people are getting together for so-called outdoor “Corona parties”.
Now pressure is building to introduce a curfew for the whole of Germany. The government has warned that if people don’t avoid social contact, a nationwide ban on going outside could be announced tomorrow, when Chancellor Angela Merkel meets regional leaders for a crisis meeting.
A spokesman for Angela Merkel said: How the public behaves today will be decisive.
Singapore reports first two virus deaths
Singapore has reported its first two deaths from coronavirus: a 75-year-old Singaporean woman, and a 64-year-old Indonesian man.Authorities said the pair both had suffered from previous health conditions.
The city-state has been lauded by the World Health Organization for its response to the outbreak – until now suffering no fatalites despite being one of the earliest countries to report cases of the virus.
But despite its determined efforts, 40 new cases were reported in Singapore as of yesterday. Most of them are attributed to travellers returning from Europe, the US and other parts of Asia.
Income protection for the self-employed 'operationally' difficult
Providing income protection for the self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak is operationally difficult, according to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Barclay.Speaking to the BBC's Today Programme, Mr Barclay said: "We are looking at operationally what we can roll out to people."
It comes as the government faces criticism that its plan to underwrite the wages of millions of workers does not cover freelancers, contractors and the self-employed. ...
Sydney's Bondi Beach temporarily closed
Sydney police have temporarily closed Bondi Beach after crowds exceeded Australia's outdoor gathering limit.The country has banned outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people.
However, large crowds of people are still flocking to beaches across Sydney, flouting advice to stay inside.
Police were called to Tamarama beach after a large number of people refused to leave, despite being asked by lifeguards.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the beachgoers' behaviour was "unacceptable" and called on local councils to step in to ensure people are complying with the social distancing advice.
Reasons to find hope
It's a grim time and many of you, like us, will be feeling anxious.But there are reasons, even amid the darkness, to feel hopeful. Or at least a little better about the situation we all find ourselves in.
People around the world are banding together to help the elderly and vulnerable; families and old friends who haven't talked in years are re-connecting by video call; and cities have been showing their appreciation of health workers by applauding them from balconies.
Looking at the environment, pollution levels have plunged in many places. In Venice, which has long suffered from over-tourism, the famous canals are remarkably clear and fish can even be seen.
On Monday, we're going to bring you a day of live coverage focusing on the positive stories, like these, that are emerging from the coronavirus crisis.
But for now - have a read of this piece . We hope it makes you feel a little better
Bangkok shopping malls closed
Thai authorities have ordered the closure of all shopping malls in the capital Bangkok after the country reported its largest daily increase in coronavirus infections on Saturday.The city’s governor Aswin Kwanmuang said that, from 22 March, all malls will be closed for 22 days along with boxing stadiums, salons and arcades.
Those violating the order face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 100,000 baht ($3,000), or both.
Thailand reported 89 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, taking the national total to 411. The new cases have been linked to earlier infections from a boxing match, an entertainment complex and a religious gathering in nearby Malaysia.
Of those infected, 366 are currently being treated, while 44 have recovered.
China experiencing spike in imported cases
Just a few days ago, China experienced a big moment: no new domestically transmitted virus cases in a single day for the first time.Today's figures show that the country kept that up for a third day in a row on Friday. That's the good news.
But there is some cause for concern. There were 41 new cases of imported infection confirmed on Friday - 14 of them in Beijing and nine in Shanghai.
That takes China's tally of confirmed cases involving people who have come in from overseas to 269. Students and expatriates have been returning home from the US and Europe, where ever tighter restrictions are coming into force.
So far no transmission from these overseas arrivals to local communities have been reported but Chinese heath authorities are imposing tough measures to stop a second wave of infections.
Cost of UK's rescue package is 'unknowable'
The director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned that the cost of the government's coronavirus job retention scheme is simply "unknowable".Paul Johnson said if the support was claimed for 10% of employees it could cost the Government £10 billion over three months.
In a move previously considered unthinkable for a Conservative government, employers will be able to apply to HM Revenue and Customs to cover 80% of the wages of staff they keep on up to £2,500 a month.
Mr Johnson said: "The cost of the wage subsidy package is unknowable at present but will run into several billion pounds per month that it is in operation.
"It is clearly a policy designed in haste and will require considerable speed and flexibility from HMRC to deliver. As a result there are obvious concerns about its design."
When asked how the measures will be funded, Mr Johnson told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme that at the moment "this is all going to be paid for by borrowing".
Social distancing v self-isolation
With the coronavirus spreading throughout the world, people are being asked to take part in social distancing or self-isolation. But what do these terms mean, and how do they differ?Social distancing means avoiding unnecessary contact with other people and spending less time in public places, where a lot of people are around.
Everyone in the UK is now advised to follow self-distancing measures, especially the over-70s, pregnant women and adults normally eligible for a flu jab.When social distancing you must work from home where possible and avoid all unnecessary travel and public gatherings.
You can go for a walk or run outdoors if you stay 2m (6ft) away from others, go to the shops to buy groceries, see family and friends if it's essential, walk your dog, and provide essential care for elderly residents and neighbours - if you have no symptoms.
People that show coronavirus symptoms , or live with someone who is showing symptoms, have been asked to self-isolate.
Self-isolating means staying at home and not leaving it, other than for exercise.
This means you cannot go to work, school or public areas during this time and if possible, you should not go out even to buy food or other essentials.
If you are unable to get supplies delivered, you should do what you can to limit social contact when you do leave the house.
For more on social distancing and self-isolation, click here.
Chloroquine: Could it be used in treatment?
It's been around for decades to treat malaria but there has been lots of talk about whether chloroquine can help Covid-19 patients.President Trump said on Thursday that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved the drug for use in treating the new coronavirus, but that's not true.
It's an approved drug for malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, but that's it.
But there is some hope. Some doctors say it has appeared to help Covid-19 patients, and lab studies show it seems to block the virus.
However, and this is crucial, clinical trials are still under way.
Read more from our Reality Check team here.
'The first stage is disbelief, the second is compliance'
Canadian Rob McKenzie accidentally went on what he now calls a “coronavirus tour” – he travelled through Italy, Hong Kong and Malaysia over two and a half weeks, and saw a big contrast in the response to coronavirus.He was visiting his in-laws in Canepina in late February - when the first cases were reported in Italy. At the time, public messaging around coronavirus was unclear, and “Italians have a profound distrust of politicians”, which meant most dismissed it as "a bunch of nonsense and annoyance”.
He then went to Hong Kong to visit a sick friend – and was taken aback by the measures in place. An in-flight announcement warned passengers to be proactive, there was detailed screening at the airport, and the few people out in public wore masks.
A week later, he flew to Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia had its first cases in late January – yet “very few people were wearing masks, the airport didn’t seem curious at all about where I’d been”, and he went to a temple where about “200 people shared lunch at a long table”. Since then, case numbers have shot up, and the government has ordered a two-week lockdown.
He says his trip felt a bit like a “travelling across time… I think a lot of these countries are doing a similar journey, where the first stage is disbelief, doubt and annoyance, and the second stage is more shock and compliance.”
What could the West learn from Asia?
What's the latest around Asia?
We brought you the news earler[url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-51984399?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5e75e29e2940ec06703e112a%26China experiencing spike in imported] (see 10:04 post)[/url], that mainland China is experiencing a spike in imported cases.Here is some of the latest news we're getting from elsewhere in Asia:
- The Philippines has registered its highest single-day increase in cases - 77 - taking the total to 307. Only 1,269 people have been tested so alarm bells are ringing
- Indonesia - a country of 270 million - now has 450 cases and 38 deaths. A state of emergency has been declared in the capital, Jakarta - a mega-city
- There are fears in India that infections could surge as hundreds of thousands of migrants workers lose their jobs and return from cities to villages. At least 230 cases have been recorded in India
- South Korea is advising people to stop socialising for 15 days after 147 new infections were reported on Saturday. The country hit a peak of 909 new cases in a day on 29 February
- Authorities in Bangkok, the Thai capital, are closing shopping centres, markets and most shops - bringing normal life in the city to a halt
- Singapore has registered the first two deaths there
Spain death toll - record one-day rise
The number of people who have died in Spain has gone up to 1,326 in total - a rise of 324 in one day, according to the health ministry. Yesterday's rise was 235.More on the latest figures from Spain
The country's health ministry revealed the country's biggest daily jump in deaths on Saturday: a rise of 324 in one day, bringing the total to 1,326.There has also been a significant rise in the total number of Covid-19 cases recorded across the country. In just one day almost 5,000 more people have been confirmed to have the virus, bringing the total registered number to 24,926.
Spain is now thought to be the world's third-heaviest hit country, behind Italy and China.
Local reports say that hospitals, especially in the Madrid area, are struggling to cope with the rise in cases. The Spanish government locked down public life last weekend to try to stem the outbreak.
Hiring: UK supermarkets appeal for more staff to 'help feed the nation'
Supermarkets in the UK have gone on a hiring spree as demand surges as a result of the coronavirus crisis.Along with other measures to cope with the increased demand, some of the chains have embarked on big recruitment drives for a total of more than 30,000 jobs.
Tesco, Asda, Aldi, and Lidl said they would hire thousands of staff after hugely increased demand saw shoppers clearing shelves.
Sainsbury's has asked shoppers to stay 1m away from shop staff if possible, to help keep them safe.
It comes as supermarkets have been overwhelmed by a wave of panic-buying.
To combat the stockpiling, in recent days the major British supermarkets imposed limits on how much of each item shoppers can buy .
Tesco, the UK's biggest supermarket, wants to take on 20,000 temporary workers "to help feed the nation", it said.
Aldi announced it was looking to fill 5,000 new temporary posts and take on 4,000 permanent new workers for jobs in all its stores and distribution centres.
And Lidl said it would create about 2,500 temporary jobs across its 800 stores in the UK.
(More to be added throughout the day)
What's been happening today?
a roundup of some of the latest developments around the world as countries grapple with the spread of coronavirus:- Virus related deaths have doubled in Portugal during the last 24 hours: from 6 to 12. More than 260 new infections have also been reported, bringing the national total to 1,280.
- Neighbouring Spain has recorded its biggest daily jump in deaths: a rise of 324, bringing the total to 1,326. It's thought to be the heaviest-hit country behind Italy and China, and local media report that hospitals, especially in Madrid, are struggling to cope.
- South Korea has warned that it might have to close religious, sports and entertainment centres if citizens ignore government advice to avoid group gatherings. Authorities there have reported 100 new cases in the last 24 hours - this is the second time it has happened in a week, suggesting the virus is not yet under control.
- Meanwhile, for the first time, China has reported no new domestically transmitted cases over the last 24 hours. But 41 new cases of imported infection were confirmed on Friday - 14 of them in Beijing and nine in Shanghai.
- Georgia's Prime Minister told reporters he has asked the country's president to declare a state of emergency over coronavirus. Authorities have reported 47 cases nationally.
- Negotiations will continue in the US Congress today over the details of a $1tn (£858bn) economic programme to support American households during the pandemic.
Millions of Americans told to stay home
Here’s a round up of what America is waking up to on Saturday:- A growing number of cities and states have issued "stay at home" orders as the US death toll passes 200 and more than 20,000 cases are confirmed
- One in five American citizens - over 70 million people - will soon be under lockdown orders
- On Friday, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Illinois joined California in requiring residents to stay home and only go outside for necessities such as food and medicine
- The new measures take effect over the weekend with Illinois’s lockdown beginning on Saturday and New York’s lockdown starting on Sunday
- Canada, Mexico, and the US have agreed to close their borders to all but essential travel and trade
- Several US senators are facing calls to resign after it was revealed that they sold stock in companies - later lost value - while at the same time telling the American public not to worry about the coming pandemic, which has caused markets around the globe to tank
- An unnamed member of Vice-President Mike Pence’s staff tested positive on Friday for coronavirus, but the person had no "close contact" with either President Trump or Mr Pence, his spokeswoman said.
UK government holding talks with supermarkets
The government is to hold talks with supermarket bosses about keeping supplies in stock and overcoming panic buying which is taking place across the UK amid the coronavirus outbreak.Supermarkets have seen their shelves stripped of essential items such as toilet rolls, hand sanitiser, paracetamol, meat, fruit and vegetables.
The stockpiling has led to supermarkets introducing limits on the amount of some items sold, with golden shopping hours introduced to help the elderly and NHS and care workers.
Stores are also taking on thousands of temporary and permanent workers to deal with the increased demand from the Covid-19 crisis.
The government will speak to leading supermarket chains on Saturday to see what the authorities can do to ensure the shelves remain stocked and the supply chains can cope with the demand.
Eustice: UK customers should 'calm down'
Mr Eustice says there is no shortage of food production, adding that more food is arriving daily.He said: "The crucial thing is that we need people to calm down and only buy what they need and to think of others when they are purchasing."
Eustice: Spike in demand is similar to Christmas
"The food supply chain is used to dealing with spike in demand," Mr Eustice says, as he likens the recent surge in demand to that experienced in the run-up to Christmas.Asked about the availability of farm labour, Mr Eustice says that there will be increased UK food production from May - and staff will begin to move around to facilitate that.
"We anticipate we will be able to supply the labour to ensure we continue that harvest," he says.
Powis: Guidance is for you to follow
Prof Powis says that the advice around social distancing is for us all to follow - not somebody else."Your action will save somebody's life - it is as simple and as stark as that," he says
Will there be ration books?
Asked whether he can rule out rationing or ration books, Mr Eustice says supermarkets are best placed to put restrictions on product lines.He adds there is no shortage of food. "We think it is better that individual retailers or retailers together make judgements" regarding restrictions on any particular product.
What did we learn from latest UK briefing?
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary George Eustice has urged Britons to stop panic buying - saying there is more than enough food for everyone.- Mr Eustice urged people to be responsible when they shop but stopped short of saying rationing would be needed to keep shelves stocked
- The British Retail Consortium's Helen Dickinson said retailers would implement policies that would make the most difference to the vulnerable
- NHS England's Stephen Powis said shoppers should think of NHS staff before buying more than they need
Iranian province 'has more deaths from alcohol poisoning than virus'
More people have now died in Iran's Fars province from alcohol poisoning while trying to protect themselves from the coronavirus than from the disease itself, Iranian media report.Mohammad Javad Moradian, the director of the province's emergency services centre, told Isna news agency that Covid-19 had killed 13 people in Fars, while 66 have died after drinking industrial-strength alcohol.
A persistent rumour in Iran claims that drinking alcohol helps protect individuals from contracting the virus.
Iran has now confirmed 20,610 cases and 1,556 deaths from the disease.
US Track and Field wants Olympics postponed
USA Track and Field (USATF) has just published a letter calling for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo to be postponed."Unfortunately, while our athletes are willing to push themselves to the athletic limit in pursuit of Olympic success," the letter states, the chances that they will be able to train and compete as normal "does not appear likely in the midst of this global crisis".
"We certainly understand the ramifications of this request," the USATF letter continues, adding, "but this position at least provides our athletes with the comfort of knowing that they will have adequate time to properly prepare themselves physically, mentally and emotionally to be able to participate in a safe and successful Olympic Games".
USA Swimming has already asked for a postponement.
On Friday, Norway’s Olympic committee became the first country to ask for a delay and, on Saturday, Brazil’s Olympic committee proposed holding the games in 2021.
So far the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has resisted calls to push back the summer games, which are due to begin in late July.
The Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA) and the World Players Association (WPA) - two organisations that together represent over 100,000 athletes - have also called for the IOC to review their plans.
French health minister condemns face mask thefts
French Health Minister Olivier Véran is holding a new conference focusing on ways to alleviate the country's shortage of face masks. He condemns the theft of protective equipment by people who break into emergency vehicles.Singapore, Finland and Mauritius report first deaths
Singapore, Finland and Mauritius have all reported their first coronavirus-linked deaths.In Singapore, health officials said there were two fatalities on Saturday:
- A 75-year-old Singaporean woman who had been treated for pneumonia since late February. She passed away after developing serious complications
- And a 64-year-old man from Indonesia, who had been in a critical condition after arriving in Singapore from his home country eight days ago
In Finland, the first fatality was announced on Saturday by the country's National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
The victim was an elderly resident of the capital Helsinki, the THL was quoted as saying by the Yle news website.
The institute provided no further details, citing patient confidentiality.
In Mauritius, the authorities also confirmed the country's first fatality. They said the person had recently travelled from Belgium via Dubai.
No further details were given.
Hotels to house the homeless in London
Hotels in central London will open their doors to rough sleepers to help protect them against the coronavirus, according to London Mayor Sadiq Khan.The mayor's office is in talks with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) about block booking rooms at a discounted rate for the next 12 weeks.
It comes as rough sleepers are deemed more at risk, as they are considered significantly more likely to have underlying health conditions - including respiratory problems - than the wider population.
Mr Khan said rooms would provide "vital protection" for rough sleepers, who are less likely to be able to follow Public Health England advice on self-isolation, social distancing and hand-washing.
NY governor: Young people ignoring orders
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says there has been "a significant amount of non-compliance" regarding the state’s social-distancing directives.At a news conference on Saturday he said that young people in particular have been ignoring orders not to gather in groups, and that it tends to me happening in the city’s parks.
Mr Cuomo said that he planned to visit a park "to see what the situation is myself".
"I don’t care frankly. This is a public health issue and you cannot be endangering other peoples’ health," he said. "You shouldn’t be endangering your own" either.
New York state has confirmed more than 10,000 cases - 6,211 of them are in New York City.
New York is now the US state most affected by coronavirus, with more than one person dying per hour on Friday.
Defiant Russians still shaking hands...
Sarah Rainsford - BBC Moscow CorrespondentIn Moscow, I get the sense that some feel the coronavirus threat is overblown and Russia won’t get the worst of it.
That’s partly because their leaders, whilst closing borders and limiting public gatherings, still talk of a "foreign threat". They also contrast Europe’s "chaos" with their own "timely" prevention methods.
Many Russians are still shaking hands, perhaps taking their signal from the top: state TV keeps showing President Vladimir Putin doing the same, only the Kremlin has everyone tested for coronavirus first.
But crowds on the streets are thinning as galleries and other venues are shut. On Saturday, gyms, pools and sports clubs finally joined the list.
Meanwhile, it’s emerged that an infectious diseases doctor down in Stavropol who failed to self-isolate after a trip to Spain is being treated for coronavirus.
Local reports say hundreds of people she came into contact with on returning to work are now being tested.
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