Taj Mahal to remain shut as COVID-19 cases surge in Agra

The tourism industry in Agra has given up all hopes of an early revival of the hospitality sector, as the district administration has shown no inclination to agree to reopen the iconic Taj Mahal for visitors.

The number of containment zones and buffer zones around the Taj Mahal and the interior city continues to remain high, at 85.

The Rajasthan and MP borders are virtually sealed to restrict entry of visitors from Gwalior and Bharatpur side. The weekend lockdown has stalled all traffic movement via the Expressways from Delhi-Noida or Lucknow.

Though the recovery rate of COVID-19 patients continues to remain encouraging, at 82.63 per cent, the real worry is the daily identification of fresh cases. In the last 24 hours there were 14 cases taking the tally to 1,468. The death toll stands at 94. The number of active cases remains at 161. Health department officials stated that 33,932 samples had been collected so far.

The number of fresh cases in Mathura was 12, Mainpuri 8, Firozabad 7, Kasganj 27.

As fresh cases continue to cause worry in Mathura district, the administration is in no mood to open the temples or the 'Parikrama' route. The total number of cases in Mathura now is 616, while in Firozabad it is 592.

Early reports suggest that there had been an appreciable improvement in the rural areas due to increased awareness and social distancing being followed. District magistrate PN Singh said the publicity campaign had been mounted to sensitise the rural hinterland.

The number of containment zones in rural areas has come down from 40 to 28, a rural development functionary said. As the marriage season is over and the traditional fairs or parikramas have not been permitted, there are fewer opportunities for people to congregate.

The partial lockdown began on Friday evening and will continue till early Monday. All markets are closed and movement of any kind has been strictly prohibited, except for emergency purposes, police said.