Washington, Dec 20 (Reporter) US aviation authorities have banned the use of drones in 22 infrastructure sites in New Jersey and another 29 in New York state for 30 days after a spike in drone sightings in the eastern US, media reports said. The measures allow the government to use "deadly force" against unmanned aircraft if they pose an "imminent security threat," according to a BBC report. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that pilots operating in restricted zones face a risk of being intercepted and detained by law enforcement. According to media reports, the move comes after weeks of mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey and other states, leading to concern from residents and prompting a number of conspiracy theories online about foreign involvement. Authorities have not given many definitive answers, but President Joe Biden said the drone sightings were "nothing nefarious." The order, which initially covered the New Jersey sites, says no unmanned aircraft can operate below 400 ft, the maximum altitude for recreational drone operations under FAA rules. The New Jersey bans will expire on 17 January, but one covering Donald Trump's golf course at Bedminster will continue until 31 January, after his inauguration as president, the report said. Restricted zones are primarily located around infrastructure such as power substations, ports, and airspace around military installations or airports. The FAA says a handful of agencies, such as law enforcement and disaster response missions, are not included in the restrictions. Certain commercial drone operations are permitted under certain restrictions, but operators must obtain a valid work statement and an approved special governmental interest airspace waiver. Hours after the New Jersey ban was announced, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said similar restrictions would be put in place in her state. "I've spoken with (Homeland Security) Secretary (Alejandro) Mayorkas multiple times and was just informed that he has coordinated with federal partners, and the FAA plans to grant temporary flight restrictions over some of New York's critical infrastructure sites," she said in a statement on Thursday evening...////...