North Korea: Authorities lift lockdown restrictions in Kaesong (North Hwanghae province) August 14 /update 5

Event

North Korea has lifted a three-week lockdown in the city Kaesong (North Hwanghae province) on Friday, August 14, after initial reports that there was of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case there. Authorities locked down Kaesong, which lies on the border with South Korea, and declared an emergency in the area last month after a North Korean re-entered North Korea via Kaesong, and state media reported that the man showed COVID-19 symptoms. However, there has been no official confirmation of the traveler having contracted COVID-19.

North Korea's borders are to remain closed indefinitely to all non-essential traffic, and inspections are being stepped up on shipments at ports and railways connecting North Korea with Russia and China. The wearing of face masks is mandatory, with reports indicating severe penalties for violations. 

North Korean authorities have not reported any confirmed COVID-19 cases. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.