by Peerzada Arshad Hamid
NEW DELHI, Jun 17 (NNN-XINHUA) – Authorities in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, yesterday reopened the iconic monument of love, Taj Mahal. The decision is part of COVID-19 relaxation, taken in the backdrop of the second wave, in a bid to open up and boost the country’s economy, officials said.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage site was closed on Apr 16 this year, as the country witnessed its worst health crisis, due to the second wave.
The monument was closed for two months in the wake of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths.
“Taj Mahal was reopened to the public, particularly tourists, and new guidelines have been issued for visitors,” an official in Agra said. “As per new guidelines, only 650 people will be allowed inside the monument at one point of time, in order to ensure COVID-19 appropriate behaviour is strictly followed.”
According to officials, teams will remain deployed inside the premises, to monitor the crowd at all time and the area will be sanitized three times a day. Visitors will be subjected to thermal screening at the gates of the monument and have to wear masks. As per the new order, there is no ticket counter. Visitors will have to book tickets online.
“Visitors should also carry their own water bottles and hand sanitizers,” the official said.
The Taj Mahal was first closed on Mar 17 last year, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, following which it was reopened on Sept 21, with several restrictions.
The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s leading tourist attractions. According to India’s culture ministry, tens of thousands used to visit the Taj Mahal, every day.
Previously the Taj Mahal was closed during wars. However, officials said, the closure had not been for so long.
Reports said, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Taj Mahal attracted seven million visitors every year, with a large number of foreign tourists.
The revenue generated from the monument sites contributes massively to the revenue of the Uttar Pradesh government.
On Monday, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) issued an order, where it allowed all centrally protected monuments, museums and sites to re-open from Jun 16. A total of 3,693 monuments and 50 museums were opened across the country.
India yesterday said, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 29,633,105, and the death toll stands at 379,573.
Globally India is the second worst-hit country due to the pandemic.– NNN-XINHUA
