The return of hundreds of migrant workers from various parts of the country poses a new challenge to the state government's efforts to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, said Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

He however said the state government has made elaborate plans to handle this situation.

Hemant Soren was speaking at a special session at 'E-Agenda Aaj Tak' on Saturday.

"I was not too worried when the number of Covid-19 cases were rising in the state. The real challenge before the state is now because hundreds of migrant workers are returning home from various states. They need to be screened and quarantined to ensure that the virus does not spread. The state government has prepared plans to handle this," Hemant Soren said.

As of 8 am on Saturday, 111 people had tested positive for Covid-19 in Jharkhand, of which 20 have recovered and three died so far.

Asked about how his government plans to bring back the stranded migrant workers, Hemant Soren said the state government has been in regular touch with the Centre on this matter. "We have already brought back many people using trains and buses," he said.

"I don't see them as labourers. I see them as my family members. My father came from the working class. I understand the suffering and hard work. The labourers were being forced to roam on the streets like stray animals. They deserve to live with dignity and rights," he said.

Asked about the activities he plans to allow in the green and orange zones, Hemant Soren said the state government will abide by the guidelines issued by the central government.