Yellow alert in Delhi: Which colour codes next if COVID-19 cases continue to rise?

The yellow alert is imposed when the COVID-19 positivity rate stays above 0.50 per cent for two consecutive days. The positivity rate in the national capital currently stands at 0.89 per cent, the highest in over 6 months.

 

In accordance with the 'Level-1' alert under the graded response action plan (GRAP), there would also be a night curfew between 10 pm and 5 am. 

 

Schools, colleges, cinemas, amusement parks, swimming pools and gyms will remain closed, shops dealing in non-essential items will function on an odd-even basis, and metro trains and buses will run with 50 per cent of seating capacity in the city.

 

Private offices will function with physical attendance of 50 per cent of the staff, barring essential categories.

 

Marriages and funerals will be allowed attendance of 20 people while all other types of gathering related to social, political, cultural, religious and festival events will be prohibited under the 'yellow alert' that came into force with immediate effect.

 

Shops of non-essential goods and services in markets and malls can open based on an odd-even formula from 10 AM to 8 PM. Restaurants will be permitted with 50 per cent of capacity from 8 am to 10 pm while bars can also operate with the same capacity, but from 12 noon to 10 pm.

 

The Level-1 alert allows construction, manufacturing activities and the opening of shops and establishments of essential goods.

The next level of alert, following 'Yellow', is coded with 'Amber' (L-2). It will come into force if the positivity rate rises above one per cent or new cases number 3,500 or oxygenated bed occupancy reach 700.

 

This alert will invoke the same responses mostly as the 'yellow' one except that malls and shops of non-essential goods and services will only be allowed to open between 10 AM and 6 PM. 

 

The Delhi Metro will run at 33 per cent of its seating capacity. Dining facilities in restaurants will not be allowed, but home delivery or take away service will continue. Public parks and gardens will be closed. 

 

Marriage related gatherings will only be allowed up to 20 persons with the restriction that marriage to be organised in court or at home only. Barber shop, saloon, beauty parlour will be closed. Only up to 20 persons will be allowed in funeral-related gatherings.

The 'Orange' or L-3 alert will kick in if the positivity rate crosses two per cent or new cases number 9,000 or oxygenated bed occupancy becomes 1,000.

 

Construction activities will be allowed with onsite labourers while industrial activities will be restricted except those related to essential commodities and defense production.

 

Malls and weekly markets will be closed.

 

Only standalone non-essential shops will open from 10 AM to 6 PM. Only up to 15 persons will be allowed in marriage and funeral related gatherings.

 

The 'Red' alert (L-4) will be the highest level and will come into force if the positivity rate crosses five per cent or new cases rise to 16,000 or oxygenated bed occupancy reaches 3,000.

 

Most economic activities will not be permitted under the 'Red' alert. Construction activities with onsite labourers and industrial manufacturing of essential commodities, national security and defence-related productions will be allowed. 

 

Malls and weekly markets will be closed.

 

Only up to 15 persons will be allowed in marriage and funeral related gatherings.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), notably, had been approved by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority in July, in anticipation of a third wave of COVID-19 in Delhi. It was meant to have a clearer picture of imposition and lifting of restrictions according to the prevailing situation.

 

READ | Official DDMA order regarding implementation of GRAP