Delhi Implements Strict Curbs against Surge in Covid Cases; 50% Office Limit

Delhi Yellow Alert: The restrictions follow Delhi's biggest single-day spike in infections in six months yesterday, with 331 new cases.

Restrictions under the yellow alert for Covid will be implemented in Delhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Tuesday.

The restrictions under the Covid Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) include shutting all educational institutions, capping wedding and funeral gatherings to 20, reducing seat occupancy in Delhi Metro and buses to 50%, among other things.

According to GRAP, which was notified by the government in August this year, different restrictions are supposed to come into force if cases, positivity rate or hospitalisations increase beyond certain limits.

The yellow alert is issued when the city sees a positivity rate of over 0.5% for two consecutive days, cases cross 1,500 in a week, or average occupancy of oxygen beds in hospitals remains 500 for a week. Delhi had a positivity rate of 0.55% on Sunday and 0.68% on Monday.

“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 in 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.

As per the plan, shops in markets and malls dealing with non-essential goods and services will be allowed to open as per the odd-even formula between 10 am to 8 pm, while one weekly market will be allowed per municipal zone at half the capacity of vendors. Shops selling essential items will remain open on all days.

ALSO READ: Home vaccination drive to start in Mumbai from August 1: State to HC