Jammu, May 17 (IANS): The Jammu & Kashmir government on Sunday decided to extend the lockdown for two days to make a detailed assessment of the spread of COVID-19 in order to impose restrictions as would be deemed necessary keeping in view the prevailing situation in the Union Territory.

An order issued by J&K Chief Secretary, B.V.R. Subrahmanyam in his capacity as chairman of the state executive committee under section 24 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 said, "Whereas the national disaster management authority (NDMA) has extended the lockdown measures upto 31st May 2020. Whereas these guidelines require state and UT governments to delineate red, green and orange zones and based on their assessment, prohibit or regulate such activities or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary which will require a detailed assessment of the spread of COVID-19 in J&K.

"Now, therefore, in exercise of powers conferred under section 24 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, the undersigned in his capacity as the chairman of the state executive committee, hereby orders that the guidelines/instructions issued vide order number 49-JK-(DMRRR) of 2020 dated 03-05-2020 shall continue to remain valid till 19-05-2020".

Jammu & Kashmir has so far witnessed 13 COVID-19 deaths and over 1,100 have tested positive in the Union Territory.