Ministry of Culture & Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has decided to reopen all the centrally protected monuments from 6th July 2020 with safety protocols.
The announcement was made by Tourism Minister of India Prahlad Patel. Only those monuments and museums which do not fall under containment zones will be opened for visitors, the Minister added.
All the Centrally protected monuments & sites must adhere to the safety protocols including santization, maintaining of social distancing etc. A list of Standard Operating Procedures has also been issued.
Entry tickets will be issued by E-mode and only digital payments will be allowed at Parking and Cafeteria. Wearing mask is compulsory for all the visitors. At the entrance, there will be arrangements for thermal scanning as well as hand sanitization. Only asymptomatic visitors will be allowed to enter.
ASI has also ordered for suspension all sound and light shows until further order. Group photography is also barred inside the premises.
Apart from these, the State and district administration may also implement specific orders to prevent the further spread of the Covid -19 Pandemic.
This is considered as a very positive step for the tourism industry of India. The monuments are all tourist attractions distributed across the country.
(Feature image source: UNESCO)
