Delhi traders to go for voluntary self-lockdown of markets till May 10: CAIT

New Delhi, May 1 (KNN) The Delhi Trade Associations have decided to observe a voluntary self-lockdown of commercial markets in Delhi till May 10, said the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

''In spite of all the efforts put by both Central and Delhi Government, the escalation rate of corona in Delhi is rising each day and in the current dismal and dilapidated medical facilities situation arising out of Corona, the Delhi Trade Associations have decided to observe a voluntary self-lockdown of commercial markets in Delhi till May 10,'' the CAIT said in a statement on Friday.

The current lockdown in the national capital, imposed to break the chain of transmission, ends on May 3.

It further said that the covid situation in Delhi is quite in a horrible condition and under the present circumstances it is not possible for the traders to open the shops-said CAIT after holding a video conference of trade leaders of Delhi which was attended by leading trade leaders of about 150 prominent trade associations of all parts of Delhi.

However, the traders' body hoped that both Delhi LG Anil Baijal and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will certainly extend the current lockdown in the wake of current worst situation of Delhi due to COVID. CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal further said that it has been observed that despite lockdown, the people are roaming freely without any checking. It is a serious lapse and therefore it needs to be ensured that lockdown is strictly followed.

Khandelwal said that in the present situation arising out of Corona, the opening of the markets in Delhi will be much detrimental not only for the traders, their employees and their customers and directly challenge their health.

''Trade associations while participating in the meeting were of the unanimous opinion that Delhi is suffering with continued high rise of covid positive cases with 32.82per cent positivity rate recorded yesterday which amply reflects the deteriorating situation in Delhi coupled with most inadequate, highly disturbed medical infrastructure in Delhi,'' he said.

''In such a scenario, it will not be appropriate to open shops and markets in Delhi. In case the markets are open and if any trader, his employee or customer gets infected with covid, it is almost impossible to get required medical facilities. On the other hand, such a situation will become a more burden on the Delhi Government to arrange more medical facilities. The lockdown will certainly help the Government to combat the increase in covid cases,'' Khandelwal added.

Khandelwal also said that despite enormous efforts of both the Central and State Government, there has been no change in the medical system in Delhi in the last one week. Lack of beds in hospitals, lack of oxygen, non-availability of covid medicines and oxygen concentrators etc. remains as it is.

''In such circumstances how a trader in Delhi can open his shop. Threat to his life from corona will remain particularly when the shop remains open. Therefore, the trade associations have decided not to open their shops and markets and will continue to remain under lockdown,'' he avowed.