MCDONALDS will close all 1,270 of its restaurants in the UK by the end of Monday, as fears over the spread of coronavirus escalate.

The McDonalds in Harlow are located in the Broad Walk, Edinburgh Way, Staple Tye and Hastingwood.

Nando’s has also said it has closed its approximately 400 restaurants in the UK “until further notice”.

Both chains said they wanted to protect the staff and customers during the coronavirus outbreak.

On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said restaurants and cafes must close, but exempted take-away food places.

McDonald’s employs around 135,000 people in the UK, the majority of which are on zero-hours contracts.

The chain said staff employed directly by the company would receive full pay for their scheduled hours until 5 April.

By that time it expects the government’s financial aid package, announced on Friday, to have kicked in, with staff paid 80% of their wages.

A spokeswoman told the BBC she expected McDonald’s franchises, which decide their own pay policies, to follow suit.

Previously, McDonald’s had closed its seating areas but had continued to offer takeaway and drive-through services.