Meghalaya Health Minister, Alexander Laloo Hek has stated that the state government of Meghalaya will have no option but to extend the total lockdown if there is no respite from the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases.

The total lockdown imposed in East Khasi Hills, which is the worst affected district, for ten days will end on May 31.

“As the Health minister of the state, I feel that if the cases keep on increasing, we have to continue with the total lockdown,” Hek said while responding to a query if it will be advisable for the government to lift the total lockdown in view of the prevailing trend.

The Health minister however said that the Covid-19 cases have slightly come down as of Wednesday. The state has recorded 846 new positive cases taking the number of active cases to 8,055.

“So it is very difficult to take any call at this moment as we still have to see how the situation will unfold in the next five days,” he said while adding that the government will take a call based on the situation.