With the increasing number of companies freezing salaries and hiring, will the economy likely go into recession due to covid-19?

With the outbreak of the virus, global consumption is seeing a big pullback as a result of the travel restrictions/lock downs etc. which has a ripple effect onto Singapore's (and perhaps most other countries' economies. So there's a chance Singapore will go into a recession if the virus situation gets more severe or drags on for longer.

No one can predict how long will the recession be but I believe it will last for about 1 to 1.5years.

Very likely. I'm monitoring my company new PO everyday as it used to be a good indicator in last economy crisis.
I'm preparing this downturn probably will last 1-2 years.....