New Delhi, Jun 15 (KNN) Despite a surge in COVID-19 cases in Delhi, the traders here have decided to keep commercial markets open, said the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his timely intervention in Delhi affairs amid rising coronavirus cases. He also welcomed the steps taken by Home Minister Amit Shah to get a control on the situation amid the pathetic state of testing and healthcare facilities in the National capital.

“The commercial markets in Delhi shall remain open after the direct intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and aggressive steps announced by home minister Shri Amit Shah after holding a meeting with Delhi lieutenant governor Anil Baijal and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal," said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general, CAIT, in a statement on Sunday

The trader's body had written a letter to the Home Minister Amit Shah, Lt Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, UD Minister Hardeep Puri and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal requesting them to step up their efforts in the fight against Corona.

Khandelwal said over the last 10 days the situation in Delhi has become extremely alarming, and there was widespread fear and insecurity among the traders.

''At the meeting of trade leaders, it has been decided that the since each market has different dynamics in terms of wholesale or retail and customer flow is different for each market, the social distancing norms vary from market to market and based on their own perception and number of covid positive cases, Individual markets  may take their decision in the best interest of the traders and customers of Delhi,'' CAIT said.

CAIT had also conducted a survey of Delhi traders and discussed the matter with the higher authorities.

Khandelwal expressed satisfaction that the efforts paid off as the Prime Minister made a timely intervention and the Home Minister, on Sunday, held fruitful discussions with the state Government.

''The steps announced by the Home Minister to increase and ramp up contact tracing and testing will definitely prove beneficial as well as the decision to construct makeshift hospitals and medical facilities under the joint supervision of the central government will expedite the facilities for Covid patients,'' Khandelwal added.