Covid-19: Delhi to implement colour-coded action plan with 'immediate effect'

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was approved by lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on July 9.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) announced on Sunday that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is being implemented in the Capital “with immediate effect,” according to news agency PTI. The implementation of the plan, which was approved by lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on July 9, means that henceforth, all restrictions and relaxations in the city, related to the coronavirus pandemic, will be determined in accordance with the colour-coded scheme.

A view inside the Delhi Metro (Photo: Ajay Aggarwal/HT (For representational purposes only)

"All district administrations are hereby directed to implement GRAP recommendations with immediate effect. Daily alerts will be sent to all districts under the system to help them take decisions over permitted/prohibited/restricted activities. The plan will be in force till further orders," a DDMA notification read.

The GRAP, which has been devised to tackle a possible new Covid-19 wave in Delhi, the national capital's fifth, takes into account three parameters: positivity rate, new Covid-19 cases, and average occupancy of oxygen beds in Delhi. Four colour-coded alert levels have been recommended under the plan: yellow, amber, orange and red. The order of alert, according to the DDMA notification, will be issued when any of the three parameters is at the specified level of alert.

The corresponding figures for the two highest levels of alerts are as follows: over 2%, 9000, and 1000; over 5%, 16,600, and 3000, respectively.

"Upon activation of GRAP, the additional chief secretary (health) will issue daily morning and evening bulletins regarding the level of alert. Appropriate orders will be issued separately as and when required," the notification said further.

On Sunday, Delhi reported 66 new Covid-19 cases, zero deaths and 95 recoveries from the preceding 24 hours, according to a health department bulletin. From Monday, weekly markets will reopen in the city, as will schools, for class 10 and 12 students.