Seoul, Nov 29 (IANS): North Korean authorities have stepped up anti-virus measures along the inter-Korean border and at the sea, state media reports said on Sunday.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in the report that Pyongyang is "firmly establishing a blockade wall in the areas near the border and the Military Demarcation Line and asking workers and residents to keep established system of action and immediately gain control of and respond to even the slightest abnormal situations".

In a separate report, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station said that the country is building a "blockade wall" deep inside the border area and near the Military Demarcation Line, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Both outlets also reported that the country is taking strong measures in coastal areas to prevent the inflow of the novel coronavirus.

Last week, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) told a parliamentary intelligence committee that Pyongyang was taking measures that "go against common sense" to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

For example, the North has neglected food aid arriving from China despite its economic difficulties, the NIS said.

North Korea is yet to report a confirmed Covid-19 case.