Large swathes of America are shutting down after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sunday night advised against holding large gatherings of more than 50 people for at least eight weeks to fight coronavirus.

The recommendations led to four states ordering bars and restaurants to effectively shut - limiting them to take out only - and New York City ordered the same as well as the shutting down of nightclubs, cinemas and theaters.

Washington, Ohio, Illinois and Massachusetts all ordered bars and restaurants to offer take out food only. California has asked all bars to shut and Los Angeles has ordered owners of establishments to shut them down.

The developments mean economic hardship for millions of service industry workers who will miss out on tips even if they are still paid. Many independent businesses are also unlikely to be able to survive a period of prolonged closure.