National News

Amid Rising Covid-19 Cases, 'Yellow Alert' Enforced in Delhi: CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal declared that Yellow alert Level-I will be enforced in the national capital in light of the rising positive cases of COVID-19.

Sentinel Digital Desk

NEW DELHI: In view of the rising COVID-19 cases and Omicron cases on Tuesday 28 December, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made the announcement for the implementation of Yellow alert Level-I as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in New Delhi.

The positivity rate of the COVID 19 cases stayed over 0.5% for two consecutive days.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was approved by the Delhi government on 9 July this year during the meeting of DDMA (Delhi Disaster Management Authority).

The state government will be very soon releasing the detailed order on the restrictions that will be implemented to prevent the third covid wave in Delhi and also the new covid variant Omicron.

While addressing after the review high-level meeting on the prevailing situation of the COVID infection, Arvind Kejriwal informed that the active cases of covid are steadily increasing for a few days though the symptoms in the affected people don't seem to be very serious therefore people should not get panic.

He further said that the Graded Response Action Plan was made just a few days ago with the aim of identifying the level of infection scientifically. It was written in GRAP that if the infection rate is more than 0.5 percent the yellow level will be applicable in that case.

Kejriwal pointed out the biggest setback in the last second wave of COVID-19 as the distribution of oxygen cylinders therefore the oxygen supply in the state has been strengthened with extra 442 metric tons and production of 121 metric tons. At present Delhi has 1 790 MT storage for liquid medical oxygen.

On Monday 27 December, Delhi had reported 331 new covid positive cases which is the highest single-day spike during the last 6 months. With the implementation of the yellow alert, strict restrictions will be imposed in the state and night curfews from 11:00 pm to 05:00 pm have been already imposed from Monday.

All the educational institutions will remain closed under yellow alert and shops will be allowed to open from morning 10:00 am 08:00 pm of the night following the odd-even rules as per the provisions under yellow alertof GRAP.

Private hospitals in the state are expected to be open from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm but only with 50% capacity. Bars will remain open from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm and restaurants will be open from 08:00 pm to 10:00 pm whereas both will be allowed with 50% capacity only.

According to the GRAP, under the yellow alert, sports institutions, swimming pools and other stadiums will be shut down but international and national sports-related events can be organized. Entry of devotees in the sacred places will be restricted and in case of the wedding ceremonies, only 20 people will be allowed to avoid gathering.

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