Nando's and Costa Coffee follow McDonalds in decision to close all stores over Covid-19 fears

The chicken chain said in a statement on its website on Sunday that all 420 stores will shut "until further notice", with takeaway and delivery services also suspended.

The company, which employs around 18,000 people, said it is working closely with its teams across the UK to "make sure that everybody affected is supported during the coming weeks".

The statement read: "The safety and security of our customers and team is always our top priority and with this in mind we have taken the decision to temporarily close all of our restaurants across the UK and Ireland during the course of today, 22nd March, to help limit the spread of Covid-19.

Similarly, Costa Coffee announced on Monday that it would temporarily close all cafes from Monday evening.

A statement posted on its Twitter account said it would try to keep cafes open in hospitals, with NHS staff to receive free coffee for the next two weeks.

The coffee chain all staff will have their full wages paid for the next eight weeks.

It comes after McDonald's announced all of its restaurants in the UK and Ireland will close by 7pm on Monday to protect the safety of its employees and customers.

The fast-food chain, which has 135,000 employees in the UK and Ireland, posted a statement about the "difficult decision" to Twitter - adding that stores will close by that time on Monday "at the latest".

Meanwhile, KFC and Burger King remain open for takeaways, with seating areas temporarily closed.