India is reopening its famed Taj Mahal, and several other monuments, as the number of new coronavirus infections continues to decline.
District Magistrate Prabhu Narain Singh said 650 tourists with online bookings will be allowed a day to visit the white marble Taj Mahal from Wednesday. Temperatures will be checked at the gates, face masks must be worn and social distancing norms must be observed.
The monument was closed in April amid a surge of new infections in India.
The Health Ministry on Wednesday reported 62,224 new infections in the past 24 hours–down from a peak of more than 400,000 new infections a day in April.
It also reported 2,542 deaths in the past 24 hours, raising total fatalities to 379,573. Both figures are believed to be vast undercounts.
The city of Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, reported 10 new infections on Tuesday, down from a peak of 500 a day in April.
In New Delhi, authorities are reopening shops, malls and restaurants this week. Restrictions also have been eased in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities with a drop in new infections.
Authorities are still warning people to wear face masks and maintain a safe distance.
