Amid Covid surge, CAIT calls for staggered timings for different sectors

New Delhi: Amid rising Covid-19 cases in the country ,the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for staggered working time for different sectors.

The traders' body has said that instead of night curfew or lockdown, it would be more appropriate if alternate viable measures are adopted at district levels all over the country.

CAIT also brought into notice of the PM that closer analysis of the Covid statistics over the last one week have made it clear that night curfew and lockdown in different states have not brought the desired results of bringing down the number of fresh cases.

Assuring complete cooperation of the business community of India to both Central and state governments in their efforts against the pandemic, the trader's body recommended a two-pronged approach, whereby effective steps are to be taken to stop the spread of the virus without hampering the economic and commercial activities, by observing safety protocols in a strict manner.

It suggested that private offices and other all kinds of offices may work from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., markets and shops may be allowed to work from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and banks and other financial institutions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The local administration in each city should be advised to formulate a joint strategy with local trade associations for keeping strict observance of Covid safety protocols in the markets and on the roads.

Stressing on the intensification of vaccination drives, it called for "special vaccination camps" to be held at prominent places in each market where all eligible traders, their employees, customers and other people can be vaccinated by observing all vaccination protocols.