China's state television has reported that North Korea started allowing the entry of foreigners on Monday -- an apparent step to loosen the stringent border controls the nation put in place to tackle COVID-19 outbreaks.

China Central Television said visitors will be required to quarantine for two days upon entry, citing information from North Korean authorities.

North Korea implemented COVID-19 border controls in January 2020. But recently, it has been lifting the restrictions in phases and sent a delegation of nearly 200 athletes to the Asian Games in China.

Last Thursday, a Chinese envoy stationed in Pyongyang met with a North Korean tourism official, expressing hopes that travel between the countries would soon be normalized.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia for the first time in four years this month. Pyongyang pledged to expand economic ties with Russia.

North Korea's economy has been suffering from protracted sanctions. Pyongyang apparently wants to promote travel between North Korea and its backers -- China and Russia -- in a bid to revive the nation's economic growth and to earn foreign currency.