this is bbc news. the headlines: closed indefinitely. an order for pubs and restaurants across the uk to shut their doors comes into effect to help slow the spread of coronavirus. we are collectively telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close. ministers are urged to extend wage protection to millions of self—employed workers who face losing their livelihoods. supermarkets in the uk hire thousands more staff to keep shelves stacked in the face of panic buying. america orders people in more states to stay home. anyone flouting the restrictions in new york faces fines. australia's bondi beach is closed after large crowds ignore a ban on outdoor gatherings

of more than 500 people. china says there has been no domestic transmission of covid—19 coronavirus in the country for three consecutive days. the american country music legend kenny rogers has died at the age of 81. you're watching bbc news. we are broadcasting to the uk and around the world, as we bring you all the main developments on the coronavirus pandemic. the uk is waking up to a changed way of life, as radical new measures aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus come into force from today, as much of europe has already been doing.

it follows an announcement by the british prime minister that all public venues, including pubs, restaurants, gyms, theatres and cinemas, must close, with the decision set to be reviewed on a monthly basis. it came as the uk's chancellor rishi sunak announced a package of measures to help protect businesses and workers, including a commitment to pay up to 80% of people's wages, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month, to those whose jobs are at risk due to the coronavirus pandemic. across europe, lockdowns are becoming more stringent as the coronavirus crisis spreads, with italy and spain seeing the highest number of deaths since the outbreak began. in the us, more states are ordering everyone but essential workers to stay at home, to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. anyone flouting the restrictions in new york will be fined. police in sydney have shut down bondi beach after crowds of people defied calls to practice social distancing. australia has banned outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people in a bid to tackle

the spread of coronavirus. meanwhile in china, there is a feeling there that the coronavirus emergency appears to be under control. officials there say there has been no domestic transmission of covid—19 coronavirus in the country for three consecutive days. we'll have reports from around the world, but first, simon jones reports as britain wakes up to new restrictions. last orders have been called at the pub and nobody knows for how long, from london to birmingham, glasgow to loughborough, to try to halt the spread of the virus. some manage the final pint before "time" at the bar. it is good, if it is going to get rid of the virus, then it is understandable. for us english persons especially, we all live for the pubs, i believe, and i think, if the pubs close, then the world is just going to go insane. only takeaway services will be allowed to continue. the situation will be reviewed each month, but the plea from the prime minister

is for people to stay at home. you may think that you are invincible, but there is no guarantee that you will get mild symptoms, and you can still be a carrier of the disease and pass it on to others. normally at night at the weekend, these streets would be full of hundreds of people. now it feels like a ghost town. some pubs and restaurants had decided of their own accord to shut but now all the others have been left with no choice. workers are facing an uncertain future, though the treasury is telling businesses, it will pay 80% of wages for employees who are not be able to work, up to £2500 a month. the business this week has been pretty much zero. scary, but i think this is when we need the government the most. um, i'm sorry... but there has been criticism that too little has been

done for workers who are self—employed or on zero—hours contracts. as drinking and eating out is halted, the supermarkets are likely to come under even more pressure to try to cope with panic buying. they are taking on 40,000 new workers to keep the shelves stocked. the prime minister says the more effectively we follow the advice to stay at home, the faster the country will stage both an economic and a medical recovery. and to show how much pressure the nhs is under, the northwick park hospital in london was forced, for a time, to declare it had run out of critical care capacity to treat coronavirus patients. the incident has now been stood down, but the belief is that stopping us from socialising will help save lives. simon jones, bbc news. with me now is our news correspondent leigh milner from leicester square, in the heart of central london. well, if there is any place in the

uk that is going to feel these changes, it is here in leicester square in london. i am standing right in the centre, just over my shoulder we have got shakespeare's water fountain, just a handful of people here this morning, enjoying the morning sun. the pigeons are still here, though, but i have seen a few people take photographs of the centre, stunned by the silence of the place. usually at this time in the place. usually at this time in the morning, you would see hundreds of thousands of visitors making their way here to get into the theatres, the musicals. the ticket office here is closed. it is unbelievable to see. of course, leicester square is the home of the west end, an industry which brought in nearly £800 million last year. it also, my cameraman can pan around to show you that we are surrounded by pubs, clubs, restaurants, all with

signs in their windows explaining that they are closed, following that announcement yesterday by the prime minister. of course, it has been a time offun minister. of course, it has been a time of fun certainty —— uncertainty. the concern is around employment, people not coming in, buying merchandise, buying food and drink, which means employers can't possibly be able to afford their employees. as we have already seen job losses in the hospitality and tourism sector, the chancellor has said yesterday that the government will pay 80% of wages of those workers not able to work, and it seems there has been at least some relief. it is a package that aims to stopjob relief. it is a package that aims to stop job losses and a crippling wave of redundancies. as ever, we have no guarantee. lots of people are concerned, those people in

particular who are self—employed, but hopefully yesterday was a turning point for the sector. there isa turning point for the sector. there is a real sense that this could be some sort of hibernation period for businesses. what we do know is that borisjohnson businesses. what we do know is that boris johnson told businesses. what we do know is that borisjohnson told us it will be reviewed on a month by month basis. well, an emergency package of measures announced by the british chancellor last night, the second within a week, has been widely welcomed. it includes grants covering 80% of the salaries of workers at risk of losing theirjobs. but there's concern that freelance, self—employed and contract workers aren't included, and will have to rely on benefits. the chief secretary to the treasury, stephen barclay, has been responding to those criticisms. i very much recognise we are in an unprecedented situation with working

across political, working with the tuc, working with business leaders, working across the uk with the welsh, scottish and northern ireland governments to respond. the specific things we have done for the self—employed, we took measures for example the self—assessment payment that was due injuly, we have taken measures to support individuals, so often the biggest cost for many people is their mortgage or rent, we have taken measures there. but the main thing we have also done is to strengthen the safety net in welfare. for example, the minimum income for that would mean that self—employed people who worked fewer than 35 hours would see that penalised in their benefits claim, we have not only increased the allowa nce we have not only increased the allowance under universal credit by £20 a week, £1000 a year, but also increased that and made it available from day one. we have made it easier to access, and we have also removed the minimum income, so it doesn't

matter whether people are working fewer than 35 hours. with me now is our political correspondent, helen catt. many self—employed bodies are saying that they need much more from government. yes, and speaking to mps this morning, some are saying yes, we recognise that perhaps more needs to be done for self—employed people. but there is a recognition that logistically it is much harderfor the government to work out how to help them. with the people who are employed, he will get this 80% of their wages paid, that will be done through the paye system. even that in itself will take a few weeks to set up because the government is designing a completely new system from scratch. they are much easier to find and pay, if you like. so there is a recognition that it is harder to do that for self—employed people, but also they could be some of the hardest hit. that is one to watch over the coming days. you heard stephen barclay, the chief

secretary of the treasury, so that they have asked banks to show forbearance whilst schemes are put in place. we will have to see what happens. 0ne in place. we will have to see what happens. one of the hardest hit industries, of course, is the airline industry. there are reports this morning of one perhaps radical steps the government might take here. yes, this report is in the financial times this morning, suggesting that the government could perhaps buy equity in some of the airlines. we obviously don't know much more about that. earlier this week, it was suggested by the transport secretary that a temporary nationalisation of some airlines could be a possibility because there isa could be a possibility because there is a recognition that if this is an industry that has suffered a double whammy, personally from falling demand, but also from the introduction of travel bans around the globe. earlier this week, the foreign secretary advised against any nonessential travel outside of the uk for the next 30 days, so the airline industry has been particularly ha rd

airline industry has been particularly hard hit. we know the government is intending to offer some kind of help, but we will have to wait for the detail on that. bavaria has become the first german state to impose severe restrictions on personal movement. people in germany's biggest state will only be allowed to leave their homes for limited reasons, such as work and shopping. the western state of saarland has announced similar measures. the chancellor angela merkel is due to meet the leaders of all 16 states this weekend to review the national response. elsewhere in europe, spain has become the second country to report more than 1,000 deaths from the virus. but italy is still the worst—hit country in europe. freya cole has more. green, white and red. the italian flag projected proudly onto the roman town hall in the capital. it shines bright as a patriarch simple, as the country battles one of its darkest periods in modern history. italy has again recorded its largest

daily increase in its death toll since the outbreak began. in the northern town, the army is being called upon to transport bodies from local hospitals to crematoriums in nearby towns. across the country, more than 4000 people have succumbed to the virus. hospitals and funeral homes are being overrun. take one look at what is happening in some health systems around the world. look at the intensive care unit com pletely look at the intensive care unit completely overwhelmed, doctors and nurses utterly exhausted. this is not normal. this is notjust a bad flu season. these are health systems that are collapsing under the

in the german state of bavaria. people have been told to stay at home as the number of confirmed cases spirals out of control. more than 20,000 people have now caught the virus. every night in many european cities and towns, residents are taking to their balconies to applaud health care workers who are on the front line of this fight which sadly is far from over. it has been reported from germany that the number of confirmed cases has risen up to 16,652.

0ur correspondent bethany bell has been watching events from vienna. what is the german situation at the moment, and how fast are they changing policy? we have seen these new measures going in in bavaria, and as we heard there, angela merkel will be meeting tomorrow to discuss with leaders of the regional leaders, as to whether those measures should be extended across the country. similar measures that have already been imposed here in austria, for example, where people have been urged to stay in home u nless have been urged to stay in home unless it is for urgent work or medical reasons, or to help somebody, and where public life pretty much has come to a standstill. people are allowed in bavaria and places like that to go out for a walk if they are by themselves, or if they are in the company of the people they live with, but not in groups. one of the

things that happened earlier this week was that groups of young people in germany were taking advantage of the nice spring weather to have what they were calling corona parties in they were calling corona parties in the parks. that, officials have condemned as irresponsible, and measures that bavaria have now been taken to clamp down on that. germany has seen fewer fatalities than some european countries so far, but there are fears that that could change as the number of cases there continues to rise. bethany, thank you. the headlines on bbc news: closed indefinitely. an order for pubs and restaurants across the uk to shut their doors comes into effect to help slow the spread of coronavirus. ministers are urged to extend wage protection to millions of self—employed workers who face losing their livelihoods. america orders people in more states to stay home. anyone flouting the restrictions in new york faces fines.

in australia, the authorities have closed sydney's famous bondi beach. police took action after beach—goers exceeded the newly—imposed limit on outdoor mass gatherings. australia has just recorded its biggest daily jump in confirmed coronavirus cases, with the total now above 1,000. shaun hassett has more. this was bondi beach on friday. it is the most populous strip of sand in sydney. two popular, in fact, for the current crisis. 0n in sydney. two popular, in fact, for the current crisis. on saturday, the authorities closed it down. the current crisis. on saturday, the authorities closed it downm the current crisis. on saturday, the authorities closed it down. it is with a significant level of disappointment that we have to move today do, not only remove people from bondi beach, but useless as an opportunity to remind everybody that the health act be complied with. large crowds of people flouted the restrictions brought in earlier this week. the australian government has banned outdoor gatherings of more

than 500 people. it has also requested people to keep at least four square metres apart when out in public. what we saw this morning here at bondi beach was the most irresponsible behaviour of individuals that we have seen so far. some beach-goers admitted they we re far. some beach-goers admitted they were trying to squeeze in one last swim. i think this is the last hurrah, to be honest. from tomorrow, this will definitely... we should not be doing it now. this isjust one of the first beaches to close. the government says others will soon be off—limits if people can't be trusted to practice responsible social distancing. here in the uk we expect the worst of the coronavirus is still to come but in china, the emergency appears to be under control, at least for the time being. as people there begin to venture outside for the first time in weeks, they're enjoying not just the fresh air and spring weather, but a new sense of hope. 0ur china correspondent stephen mcdonell sent this report from beijing.

countries around the world are going through a coronavirus emergency but in china, people have been living it for months. now, with the weather turning good and a feeling that the situation is pretty much under control, more and more of them are busting

when you talk to people here, one thing that strikes you is that for many of them, despite the early bungles, despite the early cover—ups, there seems to be a belief that once the national government got involved that the authorities would find a way through this crisis.

let's talk now to andy chamberlain, who is from the association

of independent professionals there is concern that freelance, self—employed and contract workers are not included and will have to rely on benefits. thank you for joining us. you have been meeting with government, i understand, this week. were you surprised that there was not more on friday? well actually, we have not met with government. the government has been meeting with lots of business groups, but not with us. we have written to the prime minister this week, we wrote to the edge of the chancellor some time ago, we wrote to the secretary of state for health and the secretary of state for work and the secretary of state for work and pensions. we are disappointed in the package of measures introduced yesterday. it is great news for employees, it is very generous from the government, but if you are self—employed you are going to get no where near as generous a package is if you are employed. we think thatis is if you are employed. we think that is an imbalance that needs to

change. so what specifically needs to come now? we have actually been calling for a temporary income protection fund for the self—employed. we had mooted the idea of covering 80% of what a self—employed person can reasonably expect to earn if it weren't for this crisis, so match 80% of that and the government give it to them. instead what they have done is they have deferred some tax, which is helpful, but it is just a deferral, they are not giving it away. and they are not giving it away. and they have made some changes to the welfare system around universal credit, which they should have done anyway. so this really... what it amounts to is nothing like as generous. employed people as it is for employees. and what are you hearing from your members? what are they going through right now? there is pandemonium. people have seen their incomes are falling off a cliff. it has just gone overnight from having some income, to not. projects are being cancelled, contracts are being cancelled and

because they are self—employed, they don't have the same protection of income that employees enjoy. that is the thing about the self—employed, there are a flexible resource for businesses. it has always been possible for businesses to pick them up possible for businesses to pick them up and drop them, but overnight wholescale, self—employed people have been dropped and their incomes stopped. we have done a petition on this. if people go to our website we have already got over 20,000 signatures for the temporary income protection fund for the self—employed, so please do go on there. we will keep trying to pressurise the government. in terms of the temporary income protection fund, how would the government identify people? would people apply for it? yes, you would have to apply. if you are registered as a self employed with hmrc, then you would be eligible. providing your previous tax returns would show what you can reasonably expect to earn in

any given month. if you have not yet registered, if you are new to self—employment, we will have to come up with something else. i am not saying that this won't be a bit challenging. but what they have done for employees is quite challenging, there are lots of questions over how that payroll system will work. but we must try a bit harder. there will bea we must try a bit harder. there will be a way to make it work. we need to work out how to get the money to self—employed people. the first step is the garment committing to putting the money there, and then we work out how to get it to the people that need it —— government. out how to get it to the people that need it -- government. who is affected right now, and will benefit not be enough? there are lots of people working in the construction industry who are self—employed, millions of people in the creative industries. we have written a joint letter to the prime minister earlier this week. and also a whole host of organisations have since signed up with us. sports writers, football writers, there is no football to

writers, there is no football to write about. they are all self—employed, so they have got no income. we will have to stop you there, iam income. we will have to stop you there, i am so sorry. we are out of time. this is bbc news. this is an anxious time for children and young people in the current environment with schools and universities closing and the covid—19 virus. i'm joined now by dr raphael kelvin, consultant child psychiatrist and national clinical lead for minded, which is funded by the nhs through health education england. thank you for your time. in terms of advice to children and youngsters who have just broken up very early from school, from university, who are being forced to stay at home potentially for weeks, very stressful. how should they cope, how should families cope with the weeks ahead? yes, thank you for asking me and offering the opportunity to

talk. we need to think about the opportunities that this difficulty presents. clearly, you know, we are facing a crisis which is unprecedented, but we may learn from this crisis, we can learn skills and learn things that we can do as families, as individuals, children. we can strengthen our emotional and psychological well—being so we are better placed to face these kinds of crises in the future. there are some practical, straightforward things that people can do that can make a difference. from a family perspective, i think people need to maintain structure, so children and, for that matter, adults, we are used to going into work, children are used to going to school, having a

timetable of things that we do. we need to think about having a similar structure at home. look after ourselves from a physical point of view, from a psychological and emotional point of view, but also from a social point of view. there are all kinds of things we can do. for example, we need to take time to do some exercise. we can do that at home. there are plenty of resources on the internet to support people to do these kinds of things. it can be a very simple five minutes that could make a big difference. we need to eat the best possible foods we can eat so that our boss bodies are in the best possible condition. we need to sleep, and children and young people, but parents as well, need to wake up at a regular time because sleep is important for our well—being, but also for our immunity. can ijust asked, briefly

ifi immunity. can ijust asked, briefly if i may, there is an initial period of closure that we are seeing, where we don't know what the future holds. if pa rents we don't know what the future holds. if parents are thinking, how can they best prepare their children, what are the upsides of this? is it that in the future our children will become more resilient? well, if they develop new skills, so try and do something different, like growing something different, like growing something or creating something, playing music, potentially do things on it, new skills, you know, there are opportunities to do things to build the future. these young people are the future, and they will learn from this difficulty, how we can be stronger and better placed to face the difficulties that we currently face, but also other difficulties that they will come across in the future. many thanks indeed for your time. and you can find out more

about the symptoms of coronavirus and how to protect yourself against it on the bbc news app and on our website bbc.co.uk/news let's have a look at the weather now. high pressure is in control though there is a brisk and chilly easterly wind. the best of the sunshine today will be across the eastern side of england and scotland, that's where we will have the bluest sky. a lot of high card to the west and some will be quite hazy here. temperature is around eight to 12 degrees or so but this is the brisk easterly wind, average speeds, gust as high as 50 mph around south—west england so it will feel colder as a result. a bit of low cloud towards some north sea coast overnight, bit of patchy rain towards the western isles of scotla nd towards the western isles of scotland but for most of us, dry comically overnight and temperatures a few degrees either side of freezing so a frost for many in sunday morning. patchy rain in the western isles were clear and the low cloud should clear away from the

north sea coast gradually