North Korean authorities have partially relaxed regulations on diplomats resident in the country's capital aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Russia's embassy to the DPRK said Thursday, though strict rules remain in place restricting freedom of movement for foreign envoys.

The new rules, reportedly conveyed by the DPRK's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to embassies in Pyongyang, now allow resident foreigners to travel outside their compounds and visit the Daesong and Ragwon department stores, as well as other select locations in the North Korean capital.