Delhi implements color-coded action plan to fight COVID-19, here's what yellow, amber, orange and red alerts mean

Amid the threat of the third wave of COVID-19, the Delhi government has now implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) that will decide the restrictions or relaxations for any activity in the national capital.

The Graded Response Action Plan takes into account three parameters -- positivity rate, cumulative new positive cases and average oxygenated bed occupancy in Delhi.

Following a detailed analysis of these parameters, four colour-coded levels of alert -- yellow, amber, orange and red -- and their criteria have been recommended in GRAP.

The 'Yellow' (Level-1) alert will be sounded when the positivity rate crosses 0.5 per cent or new cases increase to 1,500 or oxygenated bed occupancy reaches 500. The corresponding response will involve allowing construction, manufacturing activities and the opening of shops and establishments of essential goods.

Shops and establishments of non-essential goods and services, and malls will open based on an odd-even formula, from 10 AM to 8 PM. Only one weekly market per zone with 50 per cent of vendors will be allowed to open.

The next level of alert coded with 'Amber' colour (L-2) will come into force if the positivity rate rises above one per cent or new cases number 3,500 or oxygenated bed occupancy reaching 700. During the 'Amber' alert, construction, manufacturing activities and the opening of shops and establishments of essential goods will be allowed.

Shops and establishments of non-essential goods and services, and malls will open based on an odd-even formula, but from 10 AM to 6 PM. Only one weekly market per zone with 50 per cent of vendors will be allowed to open.

The 'Orange' or L-3 alert will be the next stage which will be raised if the positivity rate crosses two per cent or new cases number 9,000 or oxygenated bed occupancy becomes 1,000.

Construction activities will be allowed with onsite labourers while industrial activities will be restricted except those related with essential commodities and defence production.

Malls and weekly markets will be closed and only standalone non-essential shops can function from 10 AM to 6 PM.

The 'Red' alert (L-4) will be the highest level and will come into force if the positivity rate crosses five per cent or new cases rise to 16,000 or oxygenated bed occupancy reaches 3,000.

Construction activities with onsite labourers and industrial manufacturing of essential commodities, national security and defence-related productions will be allowed, while malls and weekly markets will be closed.

Standalone non-essential shops can open.