Most offices and schools in Singapore will be closed for one month to strengthen measures to prevent nCoV infection.

The number of nCoV infections in Singapore soared this week, bringing the total to 1,114, forcing the government to take stricter measures to prevent the disease.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday announced the closure of schools and most of its offices. Museums, casinos and gyms also have to shut down. Places like markets, supermarkets, clinics, hospitals, public infrastructure, transport and banks are still open. Restaurants are only allowed to deliver or sell take away.

The new ban will apply from April 7 to May 4, while schools will conduct online learning and teaching from April 8. The above measures may last more than a month if the situation does not improve.

"We decided that instead of tightening slowly over the next few weeks, we need to take drastic action now to prevent an increase in infection rates," Prime Minister Lee said.

The new government decision led people to rush to buy basic supplies. Shelves in many stores and supermarkets were immediately empty, although the government made sure the supermarket was open and provided enough food for the people.

"I rushed here to buy things an hour ago because my friends texted me that there was a restriction order. But now in the supermarket, many shelves are empty," said 57-year-old Kim Melissa Hwang. She said she had just been laid off by the restaurant. "Without jobs, without food, life would be sad."

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government would offer more support packages to households and businesses next month. Singapore is facing the worst recession in 55 years.

Singapore's Prime Minister advised people to stay home, limit contact with outsiders and "leave home only when necessary". The government also encourages people to wear masks because "there is evidence that people infected with nCoV may not show symptoms but still pass the virus on to others".