Various monuments across India, including Agra’s Taj Mahal and Delhi’s Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb, have reopened for the public from July 6. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) had shut down nearly 3691 monuments and historical sites on March 17 in the wake of coronavirus. Now the monuments are opening their doors again, after a gap of about three and a half months. Recently, chaos reigned outside Golconda Fort as many visitors were sent back after ticket counter officials announced that there were no ticket slots available for the day. Taking advantage of the situation, several guides started selling sell tickets for ₹500 to ₹1,000 even though the ₹25.
Charminar In Hyderabad To Remain Shut
Two of the most renowned monuments of Hyderabad, The Charminar had opened up on July 6, but considering the surge in the coronavirus cases in the nearby areas, the ASI’s Hyderabad Circle officials have shut the monuments all over again. Charminar has narrow staircases, which might lead to overcrowding. Few people who had booked tickets online for these monuments were allowed entry but the sale of tickets was stopped when the local authorities expressed concerns about the risk of COVID-19 spread.
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Other Monuments Across India, Including Taj Mahal And Red Fort, Have Reopened
The Ministry of Home Affairs had permitted opening of shopping malls, hotels and places of worship from June 8, 2020. Following the guidelines of the Centre, the culture ministry had opened up around 820 religious places under ASI a month ago. The rest of the monuments, outside the containment zones have finally reopened now. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel, informed about the reopening of monuments on Twitter. Patel tweeted, ” Symbolic images of Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), Purana Qila (Delhi), Khajuraho (world heritage monument). I have decided with @MinOfCultureGoI and @ASIGoI that from July 6 all monuments can reopen with precautions.”
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
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Guidelines For Reopening Monuments
The Centre has issued some precautionary guidelines for the reopening of museums and monuments under ASI. The rules are as follows:
1. Only the monuments and museums in the non-containment zones can reopen.
2. There will be a cap on the number of visitors for each monument. For example, Taj Mahal will allow entry of only 2500 visitors. Red Fort and Qutub Minar will accept 3000 visitors in two slots, will 1500 people in each slot. Purana Qila and Humayun’s Tomb can have 2000 visitors per day, with 1000 people in each slot.
3. People can book tickets only online. No physical tickets will be issued. Also, the cafeteria and parking inside the monuments will accept only digital payments.
4. Downloading Aarogya Setu app is mandatory.
5. Every visitor must wear masks and maintain social distancing from others.
6. The entry points will have hand sanitizers and thermal screening provisions.
7. There will be separate entry and exit routes to ensure social distancing.
8. ASI can restrict access to the interior and vulnerable areas of the monuments.
9. The authorities will not allow group photography within the monument premises
10. All light and sound shows will remain suspended until further notice.
11. Security personnel inside the monuments will ensure that there is no overcrowding.
12. Only guides and photographers with valid licences can work inside the monuments.
13. Cafeterias will serve only bottled water. No eatables will be allowed in the monument premises.
Also, here are the before and after pictures of some top tourist destinations.
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India Has About 6 Lakh Cases Of Coronavirus Now
If you had been longing to visit these monuments, your wait will finally come to an end. However, you need to follow every single safety protocol strictly, as the virus is spreading like wildfire. The number of confirmed cases in India is around 742,000 now with nearly 20,642 deaths. So, we suggest that you stay at home unless it’s extremely necessary to step out.
On that note, allow us to take you on a virtual tour through the iconic monuments of Delhi.