In this regard, Yang Song Il, section chief of the Population Centre of the DPRK, told KCNA:

The UNFPA set the theme for this year's World Population Day (July 11) as "Putting the breaks on COVID-19: how to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls now."

In January, the DPRK declared that the hygienic and anti-epidemic system would be turned into the state emergency anti-epidemic system till the danger of COVID-19 fades away and completely stopped and blocked the inflow passages of COVID-19 at the border lines, ground, sea and air before anything else.

On the "quarantine directions" issued by the Central Emergency Anti-epidemic Headquarters, foreigners and returners from abroad, their contacts and those with abnormal symptoms like calorification got medical observation and treatment at the restricted areas. And the costs for their lodging and living conditions were borne by the state.

Measures were taken for wearing mask among the people in public places, ensuring the distance between each other and stopping various meetings. And hygienic information service has been conducted through newspapers, TV and other media.

Meanwhile, the vacation at educational institutions including kindergartens and primary and middle schools was extended and the operation of nurseries suspended from mid-February.

The medical institutions have activated consultative meetings through a telemedicine system and the work for reproductive health of women, including registration of pregnant women and their childbirth, has been carried on without interruption under the special care of the state.

At the 14th Enlarged Meeting of the Political Bureau of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea held at the beginning of this month, it was decided to further strengthen the state emergency anti-epidemic work till the danger of pandemic incoming is completely rid of.