Traders ask Delhi govt to extend lockdown beyond April 26th

New Delhi, Apr 23 (KNN) Having a COVID positivity rate of 36.24 per cent as on April 22nd, 2021 as per statistics released by Delhi Government which is quite alarming and indicates that every third person in Delhi during the testing is found infected with the virus and in view of the highly deteriorating medical facilities in Delhi, the CAIT has for extension of lock down in Delhi beyond April 26th, 2021.

In letters sent to Delhi LG Anil Baijal and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has said that the present situation in Delhi caused by COVID pandemic is highly chaotic, horrible and grim and therefore calling for more strict measures along with lock down in order to break the chain of COVID.

CAIT National President B C Bhartia & Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that the business community is quite hopeful of betterment and efficiency in medical services very soon, however, with a view that no further load of pandemic falls in Delhi and the COVID cases must reduce considerably, the CAIT is urging for an extension of lock down and as & when the situation is improved, the lockdown can be lifted.

Khandelwal while appreciating various measures taken by the Government under in past few days to combat COVID situation in Delhi said that  yet it is an admitted fact that Delhi is highly suffering with shortage of medical oxygen, capacity of Hospitals for providing beds is over and there are no beds in Hospitals, acute shortage of medicines, injections, Doctors and para medical staff is much loaded with the work, COVID affected people are stranded in Vans, Cars or on pavements outside the hospitals in hope of getting medical assistance but are quite helpless. The people are running from pillar to post begging for medical assistance.

''We are fully aware that any lock down will cause great financial loss to traders and economy of the state, yet we are of the considered opinion that in order to save lives of the people of Delhi and protecting them from any further spread of COVID, it is more important to prevent people of Delhi from physical meet, therefore, the CAIT has sought extension of lockdown in Delhi,'' Khandelwal said on Friday.

He also said beside lock down, all entry points of Delhi must be put to strong COVID checking methods and accordingly strict checking measures needs to be deployed at Airport, Railway Stations, Inter State Bus Stands and all borders of Delhi to ensure that no COVID infected people can enter Delhi or he should be put to compulsory quarantine for 15 days.

The CAIT has once again reiterated its commitment to extend all possible help to Delhi Government in its bid to fight against deadly covid