12 May 2022 | 03:12 AM UTC
North Korea: Officials impose lockdown measures nationwide due to COVID-19 activity May 12 /update 28
Officials in North Korea impose lockdown measures nationwide due to COVID-19 activity May 12. Entry ban, quarantine requirements ongoing.
Event
Officials in North Korea have ordered lockdown measures in all cities and counties nationwide as of May 12 due to COVID-19 activity. Stay-at-home orders, as well as exit and entry controls, are likely. Reports indicate that shortages of essential items are ongoing in the capital Pyongyang due to panic buying. Significant transport and business disruptions are likely due to the lockdown. The duration of the measures remains unclear.
Domestic Measures
Officials restrict nonessential gatherings nationwide; violators could face fines or imprisonment. Authorities also restrict where foreign nationals can visit in Pyongyang. Protective face coverings and social distancing remain mandatory in public spaces.
The government limits nonessential inter-regional and inter-district travel. Reports indicate that individuals with a travel certificate who intend to exit their designated city or county of residence may now need to present health documents, specify a reason for leaving, and obtain approval from local officials. Temperature checks occur at transport hubs, shopping centers, and other public locations. Residents exhibiting elevated temperatures for more than three days must self-quarantine.
South Korean intelligence and witness accounts suggest that North Korean authorities have periodically locked down counties and cities with suspected COVID-19 activity; measures include stay-at-home orders and exit and entry controls. Significant transport and business disruptions are likely in any areas under tighter restrictions. A daily 18:00-07:00 curfew is reportedly active in regions bordering China.
Authorities have increased border security and banned unauthorized travel to land and maritime border areas. Officials previously ordered security personnel to plant landmines along sections of the Chinese border and shoot people attempting to enter the country on sight. Overland trade between South Korea and China is suspended due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in bordering Jilin and Liaoning provinces. Officials are reportedly operating decontamination zones at some border crossings and are testing workers regularly.
International Travel Restrictions
A ban on most foreign nationals remains in place, though inbound diplomatic travel can occur. Officials conduct enhanced health screenings and have imposed quarantine periods on permitted foreign nationals of up to 30 days.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Defer nonessential travel to North Korea due to quarantine measures; delay travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19. Make allowances for likely shipping delays and supply chain disruptions. Contact travel providers for reservation status if scheduled to visit North Korea in the coming months.
