Jammu, Sep 23 (PTI) Authorities in Jammu on Wednesday declared over a dozen localities as 'red zones' and announced a strict lockdown except for essential services and tight perimeter control around those as the region witnessed a spike in coronavirus cases.

According to an official order, it would be mandatory for people residing in containment zones to get themselves tested and any refusal in this regard would invite action, including filing of FIR under relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act.

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District Magistrate of Jammu Sushma Chauhan declared various areas as containment or 'red zones' given the situation emerging due to a spike in the COVID-19 cases, a spokesperson said.

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Quoting an order issued by the district magistrate, he said Muthi Gaon, near Matador Stand and Purkhoo Camp in Domana, Rajpura and Lane number six near Government School New Plot, Ram Vihar Ward No 35, Janipur, Rajiv Nagar in Trikuta Nagar, Channi Rama, Ward No 40 (Poonch House), Talab Tillo, Ward No 9, R S Pura, Nai Basti, Gajansoo-Marh in Kanna Chak have been declared as containment zones.

"These areas shall be under strict lockdown and tight perimeter control, except for essential needs. There shall be no movement, whatsoever, in and out of the containment zones," the spokesperson said.

He said all business establishments, except medical shops, would remain closed in the containment zones. However, for any medical emergency, individuals can contact the round-the-clock Control Room and necessary facilitation shall be done, he said.

Magistrate and SHO concerned of the area shall ensure that 100 per cent sampling and testing is done, it said adding any violation of the order would invite punitive action under section 188 of Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Jammu district with 147 deaths is leading the COVID-19 fatality chart followed by Rajouri district with 28 deaths, Doda 24, Kathua 17, Samba 16, Udhampur 10, Poonch nine, Ramban eight, Kishtwar six and Reasi five.

The 10 districts of Jammu region have so far recorded 269 deaths and 24,848 cases. While 13,035 patients have recovered to date, 11,544 are still undergoing treatment.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)