Historical Monuments Across India To Reopen Today, Taj Mahal To Remain Shut Amid Rising Covid Cases

Monuments like Qutub Minar, Red Fort will open from today but the Ministry of culture has brought a new set of guidelines for the visitors which needs to be followed in a world shaken by Covid-19. Taj Mahal and other monuments in Agra to remain shut

The city of Taj Mahal, Agra geared up to welcome President of United States Donald Trump who is set to visit India on the 24th or 25th of February. (PTI)

New Delhi: As a part of the government's Unlock 2 plan, all historical monuments protected under the Archaeological Survey of India are set to reopen for visitors from July 6. The Ministry of culture made an announcement to reopen all heritages but with a new set of rules which need to be followed in the Covid world. While historical monuments like Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb will open today, The iconic Taj Mahal and other historical monuments in Agra will remain closed until further notice as these structures fall within the buffer zone areas of COVID-19, the district officials said on Sunday. As a result, the monuments such as the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Akbar tomb and others will remain closed for tourists. The exact date of re-opening has yet not been announced. According to the district magistrate, Prabhu N Singh, 55 new cases have been recorded in 71 containment zones in the district. ALSO READ|Kuwait's Expat Quota Bill: 8 Lakh Indians To Face Ouster After Bill Gets Approved | Know How & Why Taking to Twitter, Union Culture Minister Prahlad Patel said, “I have taken a decision along with the ministry of culture and the ASI to open all monuments from July 6. This, however, will be done with the compliance of the state and district administration.”

सांची (मध्यप्रदेश),पुराना किला (दिल्ली),खजुराहो (विश्व धरोहर) के प्रतीकात्मक चित्र।मैने @MinOfCultureGoI @ASIGoI के साथ निर्णय लिया है कि आगामी ६जुलाई से सभी स्मारकों को पूर्णसुरक्षा के साथ खोले जा सकता है @PMOIndia @JPNadda @incredibleindia @tourismgoi @MinOfCultureGoI @BJP4MP pic.twitter.com/opPzj5Mg7l

— Prahlad Singh Patel (@prahladspatel) July 2, 2020

Some previous rules will also be followed like timings, open days and close days remain the same. According to this, Delhi's Red Fort will remain shut on Monday while Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar will open among other historical places. These are the new SOPs announced by the Ministry of Culture:

• Only those monuments and museums which are in the non-containment zone will be open for visitors.
• No physical sale of tickets allowed, all tickets will have to be bought online.
• If you buy water bottles and even the parking charge needs to be paid digitally.
• Face masks are mandatory at all times. No face mask will result in no entry.
• At the parking, cafeteria, etc, only digital payment will be permitted.
• The entrance of each monument will have mandatory hand-hygiene and thermal-scanning provisions.
• No group photography within the premises.
• All sound and light and film shows at monuments will also remain suspended till further order.
• No food and eatables are allowed inside the premises.
• There will be designated routes for entry and exit and movement within the monument.
• Guides and photographs who have a valid license are allowed to work.
• The security staff inside the monument shall ensure that there is no crowding at any point inside the monument.