Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin tells all 40,000 staff to find jobs in Tesco amid coronavirus crisis

But the founder said that staff would be first in line if they wanted to return to Wetherspoon after the ban is lifted.

He said: "We have had lots of calls from supermarkets, Tesco alone want 20,000 people to join them.

"That's half the number of people who work in our pubs.

"If I'm honest, I say you can get the furlough payments and stay at home.

"If you're offered a job at a supermarket, many of you will want to do that.

"If you think it's a good idea, do it. I can completely understand it.

"If you've worked for us before I promise you we will give you first preference if you want to come back."

Workers and unions have heavily criticised the pub chain, describing Mr Martin's actions as shocking.

Many have compared the chain to companies such as Costa, which has promised to pay staff for the next eight weeks.

Ian Hodson, president of the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union, said: "He is ignoring the advice of the Government to stand by your workers and instead abandoning them in their time of need.

"They need to pay rent, buy food and because of the low wages he's always paid them will not have savings to depend upon.

"His selfish approach says unless the Government puts money into my bank account today he'll let the workers who have made him rich suffer.

"It is completely unacceptable."

A Wetherspoons worker added: "To be told the company won't pay you until the Government grant is enacted at the end of April is hard enough.

"I'll be homeless in two weeks with no income.

"Getting told it by Tim Martin, drink in one hand, ending with a half-hearted and sadistic 'good luck' is another thing all together.

"I feel so let down and so, so scared."

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "Wetherspoon sent a video by the chairman Tim Martin, a letter from chief executive John Hutson and other information to all employees.

"In those communications it made clear that all employees would get paid this Friday for all work carried out until the pubs shut.

"After that, the company would utilise the Government 'furlough' scheme, which pays 80 per cent of wages.

"As we understand it, tens of thousands of hospitality workers and others have already lost their jobs, but Wetherspoon is retaining all its employees, using the Government scheme for the purpose for which it is intended."

Last night, Boris Johnson ordered people to stay at home and announced he's asked the police to enforce the new measures.

As all non-essential shops have closed, here's a list of what can open.

And  scores of shops and food chains announced they would close including McDonald's, KFC and Greggs.