UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson promises help for families and businesses
In the US, the Trump administration is preparing a near $1tn aid package
The EU has banned all non-essential travel in the Schengen free-travel zone
In Italy the number of deaths has passed 2,503, Spain has reported another 182 deaths
China has reacted angrily to a tweet from President Trump that described the coronavirus as "Chinese"
The Euro 2020 football tournament has been postponed by one year until 2021
Question from Robert Dobson
Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online
That is something that scientists are exploring. Serum from people who have recovered has helped to treat other diseases, like Ebola.
It is not yet clear how helpful it will be for coronavirus.
If you have a question you want the BBC to answer, email YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk or tweet using the hashtag #BBCYourQuestions, external.
Question from Jen Carter
Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online
Jen wanted to know if people with pre-existing coughs but no other symptoms should self isolate in light of the updated advice.
Anyone who has a new and persistent cough, however mild, should self-isolate because it might be a symptom of coronavirus.
If you have a question you want the BBC to answer, email YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk or tweet using the hashtag #BBCYourQuestions, external.
Question from Juliette Harrison
Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online
Many of you have been getting in touch with questions following measures announced by the UK government on Monday.
Specifically, Juliette wanted to know if she should self-isolate after possible indirect contact with someone who has the virus.
Self-isolation is recommended for anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus - a high temperature and/or a new persistent cough. Anyone living in the same household as that person should also self-isolate for 14 days.
Additionally, people with high risk or underlying health conditions are being strongly advised to stay at home as much as possible and reduce unnecessary social contact.
People who think they may have been in contact with someone else who has coronavirus but have not yet developed symptoms themselves are not being told to self-isolate, although it would be sensible to avoid close contact with others.
Everyone can do their bit to prevent the spread of coronavirus by stopping non-essential contact with others and unnecessary travel.
People who can work from home should do so and the public should avoid pubs, clubs and theatres.
If you have a question you want the BBC to answer, email YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk or tweet using the hashtag #BBCYourQuestions, external.
Aparna Alluri
BBC News, Delhi
Mumbai, India's most populous city, has told officials at airports and hospitals to stamp the left hand of those who should be quarantined at home with indelible ink that lasts for 14 days.
The stamp - an image of which has been circulating on social media and WhatsApp since Tuesday afternoon - shows the date until which a person is to be quarantined.
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Mumbai is located in Maharashtra state, which has reported the highest number of coronavirus cases so far - 39.
India has confirmed 126 cases, and three deaths until now.
"Those who require self-quarantine but don’t want to stay in hospital or hotels and want to go home, they should have a sense of responsibility. They should not roam around freely. They should follow quarantine strictly,” Maharashtra's chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray told local media, external.
The ink being used is the same as the one used to mark voters during elections.
The state's health minister said this was a way to ensure that those under home quarantine follow it strictly, and so that others can identify them if they do step out.
Tom Burridge
Transport correspondent
Major UK airports have written to the prime minister asking for emergency financial support.
The letter has been signed by bosses at Gatwick, Heathrow, and the Manchester Airports Group.
The airports are asking for more flexibility over protocol for border staff, and that Air Passenger Duty is deferred or suspended.
Meanwhile, the organisation which represents UK airports warned that airports might have to shut down within weeks unless urgent action is taken by government to support the industry.
The Airport Operators Association has asked for emergency financing, that taxes on airports be suspended, financial support so that airport staff can remain employed throughout the crisis and relief on policing costs.
Regional airports, like Southampton, and some airports in Scotland are in a more precarious position because of the recent collapse of Flybe.
As we've mentioned, people in the UK are being told to stay away from bars and restaurants, but bars and restaurants are not being ordered to close.
In an earlier post (at 7.40) we explained how the British Beer and Pub Association says this is the worst possible compromise, as it leaves the industry facing an "existential crisis" as they will not be entitled to insurance payouts.
Several high profile figures have this morning been calling for clarity, and for government support for the industry.
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The number of prisoners released temporarily in Iran as the country grapples with the coronavirus outbreak has now reached 85,000, a judiciary spokesman said.
“So far, some 85,000 prisoners have been released ... Also in the jails we have taken precautionary measures to confront the outbreak,” Gholamhossein Esmaili told the Reuters news agency.
Political prisoners were among those freed.
He did not say when those released would have to return to prison.
A total of 853 people have died and 14,991 have been confirmed infected across the country.
Image source, EPAThe number of cases in Iran has been steadily rising
Simon Atkinson
BBC News, Sydney
Aussies are renowned for their love of travelling the world - but the Australian government has just issued a stark warning: if you want to come home do it as soon as possible.
It had already told people to reconsider the need to travel.
“As more countries close their borders or introduce travel restrictions, overseas travel is becoming more complex and difficult. You may not be able to return to Australia when you had planned to. Consider whether you have access to health care and support systems if you get sick while overseas. If you decide to return to Australia, do so as soon as possible. Commercial options may become less available.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also told those who choose to stay overseas that there might not be any consular assistance available.
Image source, Getty ImagesOpposition parties in the UK are calling for more help for individuals and for businesses across the country ahead of new measures expected to be announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak later today.
Labour's shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, says "there must be no small measures" from the government, urging the chancellor to "get this right".
He adds: "We need an unequivocal statement from the Chancellor today that people’s incomes will be protected and that businesses will be fully supported to prevent any going out of business as result of the virus, and it has to be on a scale sufficient to meet this crisis."
The acting co-leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, says the PM's advice for social distancing was correct, but adds: “The government bailed out the banks and the financial sector with hundreds of billions back in 2008.
"The government must now be there for millions of businesses, employees and the self-employed - Britain’s real economy."
Streaming it is...
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Mark Lowen
BBC News, Rome
Image source, EPAAlitalia has been endlessly haemorrhaging money – it’s only had one year of profit since its foundation in 1946 – but the economic turmoil caused by coronavirus has finished off any hope of privatisation.
Governments around the world have banned flights to Italy and the country is in virtual lockdown. And so the flag carrier, once a national pride, is to become a national burden with a rescue package reportedly costing the taxpayer some $670m (£550m).
The global airline industry is being crippled by the pandemic. But Alitalia, with a bloated workforce and years of mismanagement, was already in serious trouble.
Recent attempts to sell the airline to Germany’s Lufthansa, America’s Delta or even the Italian state railway company failed. It has been outpriced by low-cost carriers, its market share even in Italy slipping to just 14%.
And now Alitalia is yet another casualty of an outbreak predicted to plunge this country into deep recession.
Spanish police start patrolling frontiers
Image source, Getty ImagesPolice began patrolling routes from France into Spain on Tuesday morning
EU leaders meet via videoconference later on Tuesday with plans to stop all non-essential travel within the 27 member states. Europe’s Schengen borders - which are usually border-free - could be closed for 30 days.
Spanish police have begun stopping cars crossing its borders from France and Portugal. Only Spanish nationals, residents and cross-border workers are being allowed in. Train services are also affected.
Spain has just announced a dramatic rise in cases with 491 deaths. Cadena Ser radio reports that contingency plans are being drawn up for a potential closure of air and sea traffic.
A number of EU countries have already closed their borders to non-residents and foreigners:
Outside of the EU, Russia is planning to close its borders to most foreigners from Wednesday until 1 May, and Ukraine has already done so.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she will not keep information from the public as the Scottish government works to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The UK government said on Monday that all non-essential social contact and travel should stop - a measure agreed with devolved governments in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Ms Sturgeon said she would be "as open, frank and transparent as possible" with the public.
Asked whether the sudden change of advice could lead to concerns the government was holding back information, she said: "If I came on here and tried to get into every detail of all of the information I'm looking at on NHS preparedness then I would overload you and we would not have time to do it.
"But I'm not keeping anything back and I will not be keeping anything back", she said.
A lack of advice for schools is creating "chaos and confusion" and placing "intolerable pressure" on staff and families, a UK teachers' union is warning.
The NASUWT, which represents teachers and head teachers, said a lack of "specific information" was creating "a rising sense of panic".
It says it wants a definitive decision on how to protect staff and pupils, and on school closures.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson stopped short of announcing school closures as he unveiled unprecedented peacetime measures to try to control the spread of Covid-19 on Monday.
Under the new French decree to stay at home, coming into effect shortly at 12:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Tuesday, citizens will need to justify their movements.
A form has been created which they should carry when out and about, and on which the reasons for travel can be ticked. They are:
The form can be downloaded from this interior ministry site, external.
Reasons can also be set out on plain paper, but it will be regarded as a sworn statement.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said the fine for transgressors would soon be set at €135 ($150; £123).
Le Monde reports that some 100,000 civil servants and soldiers will be deployed nationwide to carry out checks.
Image source, French interior ministry
Image source, Getty ImagesAttempting to curb the outbreak, Ukraine's government has announced a ban, external on all inter-city rail, air and bus services around the country. Subway services in three cities, including the capital Kiev, have also been closed.
In addition, within city transport services will only be allow to take a maximum of 10 passengers aboard any bus and or tram car service.
The new restrictions will be in place from 18 March until 3 April.
From today, the government has also banned gatherings of more than 10 people, and ordered the closure of restaurants, shopping centres and other large public buildings.
Ukraine has reported seven cases of coronavirus, one of the lowest figures of any European country.
There are still lots of ways to donate to food banks in the UK without leaving the house.
One food bank in south London sets out ways you can help online:
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Image source, EPAOn Tuesday Thailand decided to shut schools and postpone the Thai New Year celebration, Songkran, which is coming up next month.
Authorities are also discussing whether to close bars, movie theatres, cockfighting areas and all other entertainment venues.
Thailand currently has 147 confirmed coronavirus cases.
The Thai New Year holiday, or Songkran, falls between April 13 to 15 but it's expected that by then the numbers will be a lot higher.
Songkran usually involves a lot of outdoor celebrations and water splashing and is a major tourist draw.
Image source, AFPLast night, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the public to avoid theatres as part of government plans to slow the spread of coronavirus.
But as the West End of London closed its doors, the theatre industry reacted with anger, as it left their businesses in limbo.
Patrick Gracey, producer of Tom Stoppard's latest play Leopoldstadt, said the PM had "doomed an entire industry" by not ordering the closure, as theatres could miss out on financial protections.
He added: "By not enforcing a shutdown, production insurance will not apply so producers and shows will go bankrupt, and tens of thousands of people will be without pay."
Read more about how the entertainment industry is being affected here.
Uber has suspended shared rides in the US and Canada to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The pooled option allows users to save money by travelling with other passengers.
Uber users seeking solo rides in North America will also now see a message asking them to consider if the journey is essential and to “travel only when necessary.”
At least 83 people have died of the virus in the US.
Image source, Getty Images