Omicron Scare | Delhi's Graded Response Action Plan — When & How Colour Alerts Are Issued

COVID-19 in Delhi: According to Delhi Disaster Management Authority, these alerts will be issued based on positivity rate, new positive cases of covid-19, and number of occupied oxygen beds in Delhi.

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New Delhi: Increasing cases of Covid-19 infections in Delhi have raised concerns leading to night curfew among other restrictions. While different states have opted for different strategies, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has chosen for Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to fight the emerging threat. 

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had said in August this year that restrictions or exemptions on any activity due to the covid-19 pandemic would now be applicable based on GRAP parameters. Here is what the Graded Response Action Plan is.

How Many Types Of Alerts Will Be Issued In Delhi

GRAP is based on three parameters, positivity rate, new positive cases of covid-19, and the number of oxygen beds occupied in Delhi. Based on these parameters, four-color alerts will be issued in Delhi. These colors are yellow, amber, orange, and red. 

Yellow Alert: The alerts will be issued when the infection rate goes up to 0.5 percent for two consecutive days, or there are 1500 cases a week, or 500 oxygen beds are full. The odd-even formula will be implemented in opening shops in the respective localities after the yellow alert is issued. The shopping time will be from 10 am to 8 pm. Only one weekly market will be allowed in a municipal area.  

Amber Alert: The alert will be issued when the infection rate is 1 percent for 2 consecutive days or there are 3500 new cases in a week or 700 oxygen beds are filled in a week. After the amber alert is issued, the opening hours of shops and malls will be from 10 am to 6 pm. 

Orange Alert: The alert will be issued when the positivity rate remains above 2 percent for 2 consecutive days or there are 9,000 cases a week, or 1,000 oxygen beds are occupied in a week.  

All malls and shops will be closed after an orange alert is issued. Only shops of essential goods or services will remain open. Metro rail will be closed. Buses will run at only 50 percent capacity. Only people connected with essential services will be allowed to travel. Autos, cabs, e-rickshaws will be allowed to carry a maximum of two passengers. Construction activities will be stopped. Construction work will be allowed only where accommodation for the laborers is provided. Only those factories making essential things will be allowed to operate where accommodation for workers is available.

Red Alert: The alert will be issued if the positivity rate exceeds 5 percent for 2 consecutive days or there are 16,000 cases in a week or 3,000 oxygen beds are occupied for a week. More restrictions will be imposed on public transport modes once a red alert is issued. 

Current Situation In Delhi

Delhi recorded 290 new corona cases and 1 death on Sunday with a positivity rate of 0.55 percent. The positivity rate on Saturday was 0.43 percent. In the last week, 1,155 new cases of corona have been reported in Delhi. Though the number of people admitted to the hospital is still less. Out of 8,960 beds in Delhi hospitals on Sunday, 230 beds were occupied by patients. In view of the current situation, a yellow alert might be issued in Delhi.