'Yellow' alert: 50% occupancy at Delhi restaurants, metros; schools shut

With rising cases of Covid-19 and positivity rate remaining above 0.50% for two days, the Delhi government on Tuesday announced yellow alert in the national capital under the the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), shutting schools, cinemas and gyms with immediate effect as well as allowing shops in malls to operate only on odd-even basis.

The announcement of putting the capital on yellow alert was made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who said that there was no need to panic but asked people to be "responsible" by adhering to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour like wearing masks, washing hands at regular intervals, avoiding crowding of places and maintaining physical distancing.

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After a review meeting prior to the announcement, he said Covid-19 cases are rising in the capital but there was no cause for worry as most people had mild symptoms. Although cases were rising in Delhi, he said there was no increased consumption of medical oxygen or increased demand for beds and ICU facilities.

Under the GRAP, there are four levels of alert -- yellow, amber, orange and red. The yellow alert is imposed when the Covid positivity stays above 0.50 % percent for two consecutive days or 1,500 cases for a duration of seven days or 500 oxygen bed occupancy for seven days.

A detailed order was issued on the restrictions placed in the capital. There will be night curfew in the capital from 10 pm to 5 am. Earlier the government had announced night curfew from Monday night 11 AM to 5 PM.

Schools, cinemas, gyms will remain shut in the capital while shops in malls will be allowed to operate on odd-even basis. Delhi Metro and buses will operate at 50% of seating capacity with no standing passengers.

The shops and establishments of non-essential goods and services and malls will open based on odd-even formula from 10 am to 8 pm. Marriages and funerals will be allowed with attendance of just 20 persons while all other types of gathering related to social, political, cultural, religious and festival events are prohibited.

Only one weekly market per zone with 50% will be allowed to open while restaurants will be permitted with 50% from 8 am to 10 pm. Bars will be allowed to operate with the same capacity, but from 12 noon to 10 pm. Religious places will be open but visitors will not be allowed.

Kejriwal said the Delhi Government is fully prepared to tackle the rising numbers of Covid case this time and is personally monitoring all developments taking place regarding the pandemic situation in the capital.

"I want the public to note that these restrictions are for their own safety. While I understand that people are frustrated with having dealt with Covid-19 restrictions time and again for over two years now. But we have no choice but to take these measures to protect our health and our lives," he said.

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