North Korea routinely and adamantly claims that it has zero cases of COVID-19, but the country has nevertheless made a habit of circulating fringe or unsupported scientific theories about how the virus can spread.

In recent months, the country has warned that the virus can be passed on through migratory birds, polluted dust blown over from China, cigarette smoking and more. Now, North Korea's foreign ministry has told the shrinking foreign community of Pyongyang to avoid playing with snow for fear of contracting COVID-19, according to a document seen exclusively by NK News.