Uriminzokkiri, a propaganda outlet, also reported that all borders, including land, sea and air routes, have been sealed off preemptively and strict measures have been implemented to prevent the virus.
“The emergency epidemic prevention measures carried out by our party and the government are highly trustworthy preemptive and decisive measures that ensure the survival and safety of our people.” The North’s official Korean Central News Agency also carried a report on the country’s efforts to provide special care to pregnant women self-quarantined in the provinces, including delivery of nutritious food.
The report came as North Korea has closed all ports of entry for nearly two months, though it has repeatedly claimed it has no confirmed cases of COVID-19. Concerns are lingering, however, that North Korea could be vulnerable as it shares a long and porous border with China, where the virus originated, and lacks key medical supplies and infrastructure to test and treat infected people.