Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday requested people, who came in contact with Covid-19 patients, not to "invite death" and come forward for tests so that the state government can help them if they are infected with coronavirus.
The administration is also worried about how to arrange for medical facilities for around seven lakh people stranded outside, who might return to the state almost at the same time once the lockdown ends, he said after an all-party meeting to review the COVID-19 situation.
The total number of coronavirus cases in the state is 14 and one of them died.
"Those who are hiding (after coming in contact with COVID-19 patients) are inviting death. I would like to request them with folded hands to contact the government so that we can bring them out of their problem," the chief minister told reporters.
To a question, Soren said a section of the parties was in favour of extending the lockdown, while others were opposed to the idea.
Jharkhand declared lockdown from March 22. The nationwide lockdown was then imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 25 to break the chain of coronavirus transmission and it was scheduled to be lifted on April 15.
"The problem is the situation can change any minute. It may stabilize for some time or then take a serious turn. Nobody can say anything," Soren said.
He said there are several challenges before the government and it has to face them to win the battle against coronavirus.