Strict restrictions were on Thursday imposed in the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley in view of five-day lockdown ordered by administration till July 27 to curtail the rapid rise of fresh COVID-19 cases and deaths from last over fortnight.

Meanwhile, the markets in Kashmir valley will reopen for three days from July 28 to facilitate hassle-free purchase of sacrificial animals and other necessary items in view of Eid-ul-Adha, which will be celebrated on August 1.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration announced a complete lockdown in areas which have been categorised as red zones in Kashmir, barring Bandipora, from Wednesday evening to July 27 due to spike in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Of the total 285 deaths since March this year, 250 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 in 49 days, and 270 people in 63 day in J&K, where the total the number of infected persons have risen to 16,000.

Official sources said that strict restrictions have been imposed on movement of individuals, vehicles and all activities in Kashmir valley, particularly Srinagar, which is the worst hit area in terms of deaths and fresh COVID-19 cases.

However, they said essential service and medical emergencies have been kept out of the ambit of restrictions and would be allowed to move after proper verification.

All the roads and market places, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, have been sealed with authorities seeking cooperation from the public to curtail the spread of COVID-19 by strictly adhering to the lockdown.

Shops and business established were closed and traffic was off the roads in downtown, civil lines, uptown in Srinagar in view of the lockdown.