North Korean authorities lifted the COVID-19 lockdown in Pyongyang at noon Sunday, informed sources told NK News, less than three weeks after the virus controls began due to a nationwide outbreak.

Residents are now allowed to leave their homes, NK News understands, and businesses will open step by step. Authorities are maintaining some restrictions, however, as residents must still undergo temperature checks, use hand sanitizer and follow the instructions of pandemic response workers.

The end of the lockdown came hours after a Politburo meeting led by leader Kim Jong Un discussed efforts to “stabilize” the outbreak and