Thursday, March 28, 2024

COVID in Delhi: Schools to shut, public transport to run at 50% seating capacity

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday announced that the restrictions under the yellow alert for COVID-19 will be implemented in the national capital.

The restrictions under the yellow alert 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 Covid Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the yellow alert is issued when the region 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.

“We have stayed above 0.5 percent positivity rate for more than two days. We are enforcing Level-I (Yellow alert) of the Graded Response Action Plan. A detailed order on restrictions to be implemented will be released soon,” Kejriwal said after a meeting with top officials.

He went on to say: “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.”

Delhi reported the highest single-day spike in cases in six months yesterday, with 331 new cases.

As per the yellow alert, 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. 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.

Restaurants will operate at 50 percent capacity between 8 am – 10 pm, bars will open between 12-10 pm also at 50 percent capacity. 

There will be a complete ban on social/entertainment/religious/political/festival-related gatherings. At marriages and funeral-related gatherings, 20 persons each will be allowed. Banquet halls will not be allowed to host weddings.

Delhi Metro and buses will be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity. Delhi government offices will call 100% grade I officers. Private firms will be allowed to call 50% of staff between 9 am to 5 pm.

Gyms and yoga centers will shut. Sports complexes, stadiums (except national/international sports events), entertainment parks will shut down.

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