New Delhi (NVI): After being shut for over six months, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort reopened for visitors this morning.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials have made all necessary arrangements for the reopening and the safety of the visitors has been taken into utmost consideration.
Both world heritage sites were closed since March due to the pandemic.
The Taj Mahal will have visitors in two slots — pre-lunch and post-lunch. In each slot, there would be a maximum of 2,500 visitors. Once tickets for the first slot are sold, tickets will be issued for the second slot. In a day, a maximum of 5,000 visitors can visit Taj Mahal, ASI stated.
In addition to this, at Agra Fort, 2,500 tourists will be allowed every day.
During the visit, strict COVID-19 protocol will be followed, with social distancing and compulsory mask wearing protocols in place, while tourists will be allowed to enter in shifts.
Face masks have been made mandatory to enter the monuments and all tickets must be purchased online, as ticket counters will remain closed. Also, group photographs are not encouraged to keep up with the COVID-19 guidelines.
Furthermore, guards are keeping strict vigil so that tourists do not touch the railing and walls of the monument and used tissue papers, masks, gloves, shoe covers are dumped in the dustbin.
Apart from Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, the iconic Bada Imambara and Chhota Imambara in Lucknow have also been opened for tourists from today.
Following the protocols, guides and tourists will have to follow social distancing norms, face masks, and sanitization, etc before entering the monument.
Taj Mahal will remain closed on Fridays and Sundays whereas Agra fort will remain shut only on Sundays.
However, the move to reopen the heritage sites came as more relaxations kicked in after the government announced ‘Unlock 4’, even though coronavirus cases in the country are rising.
Uttar Pradesh has so far reported 3,54,275 coronavirus cases and death toll stood at 5,047.
-RJV
