Taj Mahal To Reopen Even the Virus Rages in India

India’s top tourist spot, the Taj Mahal is set to reopen more than six months after it was closed, even as the vast nation battles soaring coronavirus infections, officials said on Tuesday.

India, home to 1.3 million people, on Monday overtook Brazil to become the world’s second most-infected country with more than 4.2 million cases, behind only the United States.

Deputy director of Northern Uttar Pradesh State’s Tourism Department, Amit Srivastava said, “The Taj Mahal will reopen on September 21. All COVID-19 protocols, like physical distancing, masks will be followed”.

Visitors will be limited to 5,000 a day, down from the usual daily average of 20,000, he added.

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the sparkling marble tomb, located at the south of the capital, New Delhi has been closed since mid-March as part of India’s strict virus-lockdown.

Uttar Pradesh, home to Agra city where the Taj is located, is one of the worst-hit states in India with more than 270,000 virus cases recorded up until now.

India has pushed ahead with reopening to boost its virus-battered economy even as infections have steadily increased.

Since August, India has been reporting the highest single-day rises in the world.