Taj Mahal and other Agra monuments to remain closed

AGRA: While all major historical monuments across the nation are set to open on Monday, Taj Mahal and other world-famous monuments in Agra will not reopen till further orders as they fall in the buffer zone areas outside the containment zone.
Issuing an order in this regard, Agra DM Prabhu N Singh said that at present there are 71 active containment zones in the city and Taj Mahal and some other monuments, including Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar tomb Sikandra, Mariam Tomb Sikandra, Ram Bagh, Itimad-Ud-Daulah tomb and Mehtab Bagh, fall in the buffer zone.Any movement of tourists in these areas could spread coronavirus infection.
Referring to the MHA latest unlock 2.0 guidelines, implemented after June 30, the order states that within the buffer zone, restrictions that are considered necessary may continue by the district authorities.
According to officials, though Agra has more or less controlled the spread of Covid-19 in the city for now with only 3 percent of total tested samples turning out positive, the situation continues to be bad in Delhi and NCR from where a rush of tourists is expected. “We expect crowds only from NCR and Delhi as trains and flights from other places remain suspended and this could prove a threat to the city,” said a senior official.
The union ministry of culture had last week announced reopening of ASI protected properties from July 6 with SOPs and safeguards in place. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has, however, made all arrangements to follow social distancing norms by making circles outside the monuments in Agra.