New Delhi: With the number of Covid cases coming down and the effective nationwide vaccination drive, tourism is slowly opening up in India.
From 16th June 2021, The Taj Mahal and other centrally protected monuments, museums and sites that have been closed since April 15th 2021, due to the second COVID wave, will reopen for visitors.
Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said the Ministry has allowed the reopening and visitors would have to adhere to strict COVID-19 related safety protocols like:
- Mandatory wearing of masks
- Sanitization- Thermal Screening
- A cap on the number of visitors and
- Social distancing
Visitors will be able to book entry tickets online. However, no offline booking facility will be available, said an ASI official.
According to the Archaeological Society of India (ASI) order, the reopening of the monuments and sites will be in strict compliance with the executive orders, if any, issued by the state, district or the disaster management authority.
“Tourists would not be allowed to touch any object inside the Taj Mahal and other monuments and sites. They have to follow social distancing norms while sitting as well,” said Superintending Archeologist, Agra Circle ASI.