The Taj Mahal was closed on March 17 due to the COVID outbreak, which resulted in strict lockdown in the country. All the heritage monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India were asked to close for visitors after discussion with the union minister of culture.
Nearly after six months of its shut down, the Taj Mahal is now open for visitors from September 21 2020.
One of the first few visitors of the seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal is Debargha Sengupta, who came to Prayagraj for his SSB and after that took a train to Agra to visit the monument for the first time ever.
As the COVID pandemic is not over yet and vaccines are still in the phase of trials, you need to follow some COVID guidelines if you wish to visit the monument during this time.
To keep up with the present scenario, the site has imprinted several norms stating that more than five thousand visitors are not allowed in a day. Also, people are advised not to click group photographs.
Strict instructions have been given to the guards so that they keep a check on people and stop them from touching the railing and walls of Taj Mahal. Visitors are also advised to dispose of used tissue paper, mask, gloves, shoe covers in the dustbin.
Most of the historical sites under the Archaeological Survey of India were opened, but Agra and Taj Mahal being in the containment zone remained closed until today.
There are around 3691 monuments across India under the Archaeological Survey of India, and many were allowed to open on July 6.
TAJ MAHAL COVID GUIDELINES
- Visitors have to maintain 6-feet distance among others even to get clicked in the same photograph.
- Clicking solo pictures are allowed
- Only licenced guides will be allowed inside Taj Mahal
- The Taj Mahal will remain close on Friday and Sunday
- Agra fort will remain shut on Sunday only.
AGRA HOTELS PREPARED TO WELCOME TOURISTS
As the news of Agra fort and Taj Mahal reopening for the public from Monday came out, the hoteliers have started preparation for tourists. After the lockdown, one of the hotel industry was shot for over five months and suffered huge losses.
This is what some of the hotel industry people said about the reopening of Taj Mahal and Agra.
- Rajkant, a hotel owner, said that the hotel owners were waiting for the government to reopen Taj Mahal under unlock four guidelines as they were reopening everything in a phased manner. As now finally the government gave orders to reopen Taj Mahal from September 21 businessmen are happy with this decision as they host people from across the world who come here to visit Taj Mahal.
- Rashmi Singh, a hotel owner, said that the business of hoteliers was impacted due to COVID. Due to which many staff had to be asked to leave the job, and some worked on less salaries. Now the hoteliers are hopeful to see some tourists as the authorities have announced the reopening of Taj Mahal and Agra fort.
- Arvind, an employee at a hotel, said that they had started the preparation for the guests.
- Mohammad Siraj, an employee at another hotel, said that there was no work since the past five months for them and now they are looking forward to work and hope that the situation gets better,
