The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States issued a temporary order on Thursday (December 19) prohibiting drones from flying over 22 important infrastructure locations in New Jersey.
According to CBS News, the restricted areas include power substations, the Port of Kearny in New Jersey, airspace near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and airports such as Newark-Liberty International Airport.
The FAA stated that the ban was in response to a request from federal security partners, and previously in November, the agency had already prohibited drones from flying over two locations in New Jersey.
On Wednesday, the FAA pointed out a growing concern about drones in New Jersey and the surrounding areas, leading to a significant increase in incidents where people shine laser pointers at aircraft, an act that is both illegal and dangerous.
The FAA confirmed that drones have been banned from flying over several towns in New Jersey.
The FAA’s restrictions cover nearly 24 towns, including Jersey City, Harrison, Edison, Bayonne, and Camden.
According to the order, drones are not allowed to fly below 400 feet in the designated areas and must stay within 1 nautical mile of the airspace. Additionally, if a drone poses an “immediate threat” to safety, the government is authorized to take “lethal means.”
The ban will remain in effect until January 17 and supplements the prohibition that took effect following the mysterious drone sightings on November 18. For instance, the ban on drones around the Picatinny Arsenal military research and manufacturing facility will continue until December 26, and the ban in Bedminster will last until December 20.