Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

Yellow Alert Issued for Delhi, Here’s What’s Allowed and What’s Not

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says the Indian capital will have more restrictions amid rising Covid-19 cases
December 28, 2021
Yellow Alert
Picture for representation purpose only. Photo credit: Pixabay

Amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Tuesday ordered closure of schools, colleges, cinemas and gyms with immediate effect and put various restrictions on the functioning of shops and public transport as a yellow alert was sounded under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

The Delhi Chief Minister assured that the city is 10 times more prepared than earlier to deal with the rise in Covid cases in Delhi. He added that the Covid-19 cases are mild with no increase in the consumption of oxygen or the use of ventilators despite the rise in numbers. He also urged the people of Delhi to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour of wearing masks and social distancing.

“Over the past few days cases have been going up but there is no need to worry and panic. We are mostly seeing mild and asymptomatic cases and there is no need for hospitalisation in these cases. Most patients admitted to hospitals do not need oxygen or ICUs… But we do not want the disease to spread and you to fall ill… We had earlier notified GRAP to deal with an increase in cases. It was drawn up in a scientific manner and would aid simpler implementation,” Kejriwal said.

Here are the new rules

  • There will be a night curfew between 10 pm and 5 am daily.
  • Private offices will function with 50% staff barring those designated essential services, which includes hospitals, media, banks, insurance companies and telecom services.
  • Weddings are allowed with up to 20 people and they can take place only at home or in court. The 20-person limit also applies to funerals.
  • Malls and shops will open on an odd-even basis, between 10 am and 8 pm. Online deliveries can continue.
  • Standalone shops or markets in residential colonies will not follow the odd-even rule.
  • Cinemas, multiplexes and gyms will be closed again. Schools and colleges will stay shut.
  • Restaurants and bars will be closed at 10 pm and they will operate at half capacity.
  • The Delhi Metro will function with half its capacity.
  • Salons, barbershops and parlours will be allowed. Spas and wellness clinics will be closed.
  • Political, religious, festival-related gatherings won’t be allowed. Religious places can stay open but visitors won’t be allowed.
  • Public parks will also stay open, but picnics or gatherings won’t be allowed.

Delhi reported the highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases in six months yesterday, with 331 new cases. The positivity rate was also above 0.5 per cent for two days, which, according to GRAP, is the scale for a yellow alert. GRAP is based on positivity rate, new Covid-19 cases and the number of oxygen beds. There are four levels of alert – yellow, amber, orange and red.

 

Jyoti Verma

The writer is a media professional based in Delhi. She has been writing on diverse subjects, including sustainable businesses, environment and climate change, health and education and others.