A man wearing a face mask walks past a mural in Chinatown in Singapore on April 1, 2020. Roslan Rahman | AFP | Getty Images

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday announced stricter social distancing measures in the city state, and said the government is rethinking its advice that only those who are ill need to wear masks. Lee said the situation in Singapore is under control, but noted that the number of reported cases have increased from fewer than 10 a day to more than 50 new infections daily. The Southeast Asian country reported 65 new cases on Friday, taking its tally to 1,114 with five deaths. "Looking at the trend, I am worried that unless we take further steps, things will gradually get worse or another big cluster may push things over the edge," the prime minister said.

"We have decided that instead of tightening incrementally over the next few weeks, we should make a decisive move now, to pre-empt escalating infections," he added. Lee announced the following measures, which he called "a circuit breaker" that will help to reduce the risk of a larger outbreak: Shutting most workplaces except those offering "essential services" such as food establishments, hospitals and transport starting Tuesday, April 7.

Closing all schools temporarily and move lessons online starting Wednesday, April 8.

Advising people to stay at home and avoid socializing with others beyond their own household. "This circuit breaker will apply for one month, in the first instance," said Lee.

Wearing a mask may help to protect others, in case you have the virus but don't know it. This is so that you keep your droplets to yourself. Lee Hsien Loong Prime Minister of Singapore

Singapore joins a chorus of countries globally that have tightened people's mobility to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Globally, the disease — which has been named COVID-19 — has infected over 1 million people across more than 180 countries and territories. More than 53,000 people worldwide have died from the coronavirus so far.

Rethinking advice on masks