North Koreans are "strictly forbidden" from gathering in public places such as restaurants, ruling party daily the Rodong Sinmun said on Tuesday, as the country continues now weeks-long quarantine efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In a report that comes amid mounting claims that there may be suspected or confirmed cases of the coronavirus -- known officially as COVID-19 -- DPRK state media on Tuesday continued to insist there have been no confirmed cases, reiterating propaganda on quarantine measures conducted throughout the country.