The office buildings of Twitter will be temporarily closed, effective right away, the company has informed its staff, according to the BBC.

In a message seen by the BBC, workers were told that the offices would reopen on Monday 21 November. No reason was provided for the move.

"Please continue to comply with company policy by refraining from discussing confidential company information on social media, with the press or elsewhere," the message said.

The announcement comes amid reports that large numbers of staff were quitting after new owner Elon Musk sent them an email asking them to sign up for "long hours at high intensity" or leave.