![[File] Stranded Kashmiri workers waiting with their luggage at SDM complex Palampur, in Kangra | PTI](https://img.theweek.in/content/dam/week/news/india/images/2020/4/29/stranded-workers-migrants-himachal-Kangra-pti.jpg "[File] Stranded Kashmiri workers waiting with their luggage at SDM complex Palampur, in Kangra | PTI")
Himachal Pradesh government has decided to extend the lockdown till June 30 as the COVID-19 cases in the state continue to show an upward trend. The hill state has so far registered 214 cases including five deaths.
The decision of the BJP government led by Jai Ram Thackur came even as the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown is scheduled to end on May 31 and several states have started easing restrictions.
Earlier, the district magistrates of Hamirpur and Solan had issued orders extending the curfew in their areas up to June 30. Hamirpur has reported the highest 63 virus cases while 21 people have tested positive for the infection in Solan till now.
According to officials, Hamirpur has witnessed a spurt in cases after people in large numbers returned to the state from parts of the country recently.
The district now has 57 of 142 active cases in the state.
Over 10,000 people have returned to Hamirpur from various red zones in the country in the past 30 days, District Magistrate Harikesh Meena said.
Given the huge economic impact, it remains to be seen whether the Union government will opt for a further extension of the nationwide lockdown. Only Maharashtra, which has highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country, has spoken in favour of extending the lockdown so far.
