Delhi Implements Colour-Coded Alert Levels, From 1 To 4, To Fight Covid

Amid fears of a possible third wave of Covid infections, Delhi has put into force a graded action plan to tackle any surge in cases in the coming days. The national capital is the first city to enforce such a plan.

The action plan, which lays down separate guidelines for four levels of severity that are marked by different colour codes, came into effect following a formal order issued by the Delhi government.

According to the action plan, a yellow alert, which marks Level 1 of severity, will come into force if Delhi records a positivity rate of over 0.5 per cent for two consecutive days or reports 1,500 new cases in a week or 500 oxygen beds are occupied in a week.

Under the yellow alert, shops would be allowed to operate between 10 am and 8 pm on an odd-even basis. Metro services will be allowed at 50 per cent passenger capacity. Buses can also function at 50 per cent capacity for passengers who have permission to travel. A night curfew would be in force between 10 pm and 5 am.

Under the yellow alert, restaurants would be allowed to host guests up to 50 per cent capacity from 8 am to 10 pm. Bars can stay open between noon and 10 pm, also at 50 per cent capacity.

An amber alert will be issued if Delhi records a positivity rate of over 1 per cent for two consecutive days or reports 3,500 new cases over a week or 700 oxygen beds are occupied within a week. Under this alert, which marks Level 2 of severity, a weekend curfew will be imposed besides the night curfew. Shops will be allowed to stay open between 10 am and 6 pm on an odd-even basis. Number of passengers in Metro rail would be capped at 33 per cent of capacity. Buses will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity for groups of passengers who have permission to travel. Restaurants and bars would be shut. Hotels will be allowed to operate.

If the city records a positivity rate of over 2 per cent for two days in a row or reports 9,000 new cases in a week or 1,000 oxygen beds are occupied in a week, Level 3 of severity will be declared and an orange alert will come into force.

As per the guidelines laid down for orange alert, all shops other than standalone shops would remain shut and Metro rail services would be stopped. Buses will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity for passengers with permission to travel.

Construction activities will be allowed only if labourers stay at the site and only industries manufacturing essential items will be allowed to operate. Night curfew and weekend curfew will continue.

Level 4 of severity will be declared if Delhi records a positivity rate of over 5 per cent for two consecutive days or clocks 16,000 cases over a week or 3,000 oxygen beds are occupied in a week.

This will bring into force a red alert. All the curbs imposed under orange alert will stay in force and the city will be placed under complete curfew.

Under every alert, schools, colleges and other educational institutions will remain shut. So will cinema halls, theatres, banquet halls, auditoriums, barber shops, salons, spas, gymnasiums and yoga centres, and entertainment parks. Religious places will be allowed to open but devotees would not be permitted to visit them.

No gathering will be allowed if any alert is in force. Wedding ceremonies and funerals will be allowed under every alert but the number of people attending will be capped.