British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a three-week lockdown of all non-essential stores, and banned more than two people from gathering.

Johnson urged people to stay home during a press conference on Monday.

The decision was made when thousands of people in parks and fields around the country were seen enjoying weekend spring sunshine despite government directives to practice social distancing and self-isolation.

The UK has registered 335 deaths from the outbreak.

The decision came after officials from the World Health announced the pandemic was “accelerating” across the globe.

According to AFP, the number of deaths from coronavirus soared past 16,100 on Monday, with over 361,500 infections in over 174 countries and territories.

Read More: Pandemic is ‘accelerating’, WHO warns as cases pass 300,000