Srinagar, May 3: Normal life remained affected in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday as the lockdown in the wake of an alarming surge in coronavirus cases continued, officials said.

Curbs on the movement and assembly of people continued to remain imposed across the J&K as

Police and paramilitary forces put barricades on roads at many places in Srinagar as well as in other district headquarters of the Valley and the Jammu region to prevent the movement of people.

However, essential and emergency services are allowed, the officials added.

Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments remained shut while public transport was off the roads.

The administration had imposed lockdown in 11 districts—Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Jammu, Kathua, Reasi and Udhampur—at 7 pm on Thursday.

In the rest of the nine districts—Bandipora, Kupwara, Shopian, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban—the lockdown came into effect at 7 pm on Friday.

However, the government on Saturday announced the extension of the lockdown in four districts — Jammu and three others in the valley—till Thursday morning, the officials said. Later most of remaining districts in Valley extended the lockdown till Thursday.

The officials said the night curfew will continue in all municipal /urban local body limits of all the 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

“In view of the record surge in daily cases across the Kashmir Valley, Police also enhanced the efforts to implement the Covid-19 guidelines/SOPs/restrictions strictly throughout the valley. During last 24hrs, Police has arrested 81 persons, lodged 46 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of ₹93,620/- from 629 people for violating the guidelines/rules throughout Kashmir valley, “ police said. “Besides, three vehicles were also seized in Budgam for violating guidelines/restrictions,” police said.