Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): How Covid alerts are issued & restrictions imposed in Delhi?

New Delhi: The national capital recorded the highest number of 331 fresh Covid-19 cases on Monday, the highest single-day rise in the past 6 months. Covid-19 positivity rate swung to 0.55%, thus bringing into force the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Under the GRAP, Delhi govt’s colour-coded action plan, it is decided how the restrictions will be imposed in markets, industries, offices & public transport to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The restrictions, put into place to contain the spread of Covid-19 & the latest Omicron variant, is based on 3 parameters – positivity rate, cumulative cases & occupancy of bed in hospitals. The restrictions are classified into 4 categories – Level 1 (Yellow), Level 2 (Amber), Level 3 (Orange) and Level 4 (Red).

Yellow is the lowest scale of alert while Amber & Orange are signs of pandemic rising to alarming levels. Level 4 or red colour means the city will face complete shutdown, bringing the life & transport to a halt.

Level 1 (Yellow): This alert comes into effect when the positivity rate exceeds 0.5% and stays for 2 consecutive days. It can also be enforced when cumulative new positive cases (for a week) remain above 1500 cases or oxygenated bed occupancy remains above 500 for a week.

Under this level, night curfew comes into effect and there is no movement of persons between 10 PM – 5 AM. However, facilities like public parks, gardens, construction activities and industrial establishments, e-commerce, barbershops, salons, beauty parlours remain open during the period.

Level 2 (Amber): This is second level of restrictions imposed under the colour-coded action plan to fight Covid-19. Amber level comes into effect when the positivity rate remains over 1% for 2 consecutive days, or 3,500 new cases in a week, or oxygen bed occupancy remains over 700 for a week.

Under this level, the weekend curfew comes into effect in addition to the existing night curfew. Though, activities like construction and manufacturing have the de-facto permission to operate with Covid control guidelines. E-commerce also remains fully operational.

Level 3 (Orange): As the name suggests, this is advanced level of restriction under which significant restraints & curbs come into effect.

Orange will kick in when the positivity rate crosses 2% and stays for 2 consecutive days. Another criteria is 9,000 Corona cases on daily basis for a week or average occupancy of hospital beds above 1,000 for 7 days.

This is seen as peaking level of Covid infection and hence closure of some establishments is effected to stop further spread of virus. Under Orange level, private offices are shut & are encouraged are to opt for work from home model. Government offices however will have the permission to stay open. In public gathering events like marriages & funeral-related gatherings, number of guests are capped at 15. Night and weekend curfews also remain in force.

Level 4 (Red): This level calls for closure of many activities as interaction & movement of people is seen as severe threat to Covid fight and the administration can’t afford to have any laxity.

This comes into effect when the test positivity rate breaches 5% for 2 days in a row or when the city logs over 16,000 new cases for 7 straight days or the average occupancy of oxygen beds in hospitals crosses 3,000 & remains static for a week.

Under this, total curfew is imposed and curbs are imposed on the movement of people. In case of marriages & funeral-related gatherings, not more than 15 persons are allowed to gather at one place. Religious places are open but visitors & devotees aren’t allowed.