Taj Mahal re-opens for public after six months with COVID-19 norms

After being shut for tourists for around six months, one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal reopened from Monday. The Agra Fort too reopened with strict COVID-19 guidelines in place.

The heritage monuments were closed on March 17 after a discussion with the union ministry of culture. The monuments were closed for the visitors following the rapid outbreak of SARS-CoV-2.

Vasant Kumar Swarnkar, superintending archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India said, “All safety guidelines issued by the centre will have to be followed while visiting the mausoleum and the fort, which include social distancing and sanitizing of hands and masks are mandatory to enter the monuments.”

“Only 5,000 tourists will be allowed each day at the Taj Mahal – 2,500 before 2 PM and the rest after. At Agra Fort, 2,500 tourists will be allowed every day. Tickets must be purchased online. Ticket counters will not be open“, he said.

Agra: Thermal screening of visitors being done at Taj Mahal, as the monument reopens for public from today. pic.twitter.com/YqHR94eub8

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 21, 2020

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawans will check visitors with hand-held metal detectors. No goods are to be carried inside the Taj Mahal, an ambulance would be ready at the gates.

The move to reopen the heritage sites came to as the government announced Unlock4. Though coronavirus cases in the country are on a steep rise.

Uttar Pradesh is the fifth most-affected state in the country with over 3.48 lakh CIVID-19 cases.

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