North Korean authorities have relaxed some COVID-19-prevention rules for the handful of remaining embassy staff in Pyongyang, while tightening other restrictions, informed sources told NK News.

The new rules, which North Korea’s foreign ministry reportedly issued to embassies on Monday, allow for larger meetings and for more North Koreans to work with foreign embassy personnel — two small signs of policy relaxation.

Up to 25 people can now gather in restaurants and 30 in places of worship, according to the sources, but the rules require that people maintain a distance of 2 meters from each other and that facilities