Anticipation of stricter movement curbs triggered panic-buying in Vietnam's economic hub Ho Chi Minh City, the epicentre of its coronavirus outbreak, while media reported unrest at a city jail where dozens of inmates were infected.

The health ministry said outbound travellers from the city of nine million people would be subjected to a week of quarantine and testing at their destinations, a day after dozens of flights were suspended to control the spread, according to Reuters.

Shelves at the supermarkets were being emptied since late Tuesday, witnesses said, in preparation for tighter measures, as the country reported more than 1,000 daily coronavirus cases for the first time.

“They have bought everything, and now I can't buy any food for my kids, not even eggs,” said a witness, who asked to be referred to by one name, Huong.