North Korea has drastically restricted travel to China from its territory in a bid to stem the spread of a new strand of the deadly coronavirus, multiple sources said Thursday, in an expansion of a previously-imposed ban on tourism into the country that will now impact NGOs, international organizations, and diplomats.

A note verbale distributed to personnel in the North Korean capital obtained by NK News informed them they would not be permitted to leave the country via China for the time being. A semi-regular route to Vladivostok is believed to still be operational.