As coronavirus fears around the world continue to spread, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a three-week lockdown in the UK – banning the public from leaving their homes except for "very limited" reasons, including the purchasing of food and medicine, and carrying out essential work.

In his televised address to the nation on Monday evening, he stated that he "must give  the British people a very simple instruction – you must stay at home."

335 people in the UK have died after testing positive for coronavirus. On Saturday, Johnson remarked that the UK is "only a matter of weeks – two or three – behind Italy." Italy's death toll reached 6,077 yesterday.

In yesterday's speech, Johnson also revealed that all playgrounds, libraries, places of worships and shops selling nonessential goods would close – and announced a ban on public gatherings of more than two people.

The new restrictions are to be enforced by the police, with fines imposed on people defying the rules.

Unsurprisingly, the announcement sparked a major reaction on social media.

Britain goes from “handshakes are ok and party-on” to “full lockdown or get arrested” in ten days. Boris Johnson truly is like Winston Churchill in reverse. If you literally turned Churchill upside down and had him talk out of his a*se. #UKlockdown

— Oliver Callan (@olivercallan) March 23, 2020

Now we're in an enforced lockdown, the country's five million self-employed people urgently need clarity.

£94.25 per week sick pay is not enough.

If employed people get 80% of their wages up to £2500 guaranteed by the government, so should the self-employed.

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) March 24, 2020

Never thought I'd be relieved to be placed under house arrest along with millions of people under a police state by a right wing Tory government

— Owen Jones 🌹 (@OwenJones84) March 23, 2020

The Prime Minister is right to call for people to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives. pic.twitter.com/Bio9dKqj5A

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 23, 2020

Boris Johnson doing these announcements feels like when the Fresh Prince would do a “serious” episode.

— Nish Kumar (@MrNishKumar) March 23, 2020

It's come dangerously late, but Prime Minister @BorisJohnson finally seems to understand the gravity of this Coronavirus crisis & has taken the drastic action needed to protect the country from this deadly disease. His speech was serious, significant & necessary. pic.twitter.com/QQQqR48zJx

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 23, 2020

Only 'key workers' should go to work?

What about those on zero-hour's?
The self-employed?
The low-earners who can't afford not to work?

The govt need to give us ALL the security to stay at home.

Nobody should be risking lives to pay bills.

This is not good enough.#UKlockdown

— Francesca Martinez (@chessmartinez) March 23, 2020