Saving the economy: Taj Mahal reopens to tourists

(Patria) - Despite worrying epidemiological statistics, Indian authorities on Monday opened the doors of the world-famous monument Taj Mahal to its first visitors.

The famous monument to the Mughal ruler's love for his wife, the construction of which was completed in the 17th century, was first visited after 6 months of closed doors - by one Chinese tourist and one resident of Delhi.

The permitted number of daily visits has been reduced from the usual 20,000 to 5,000. Tickets are sold online, and about 300 were purchased on the first day. 

All visitors will have their body temperature measured before entering, and will be obliged to observe the measures of wearing protective masks and physical distancing.

More than 5.49 million infections have been confirmed in India since the beginning of the pandemic, placing the country second on the world list, just behind the US, where more than 6.8 million people are infected. 

More than 88,000 people have died in India due to the coronavirus infection; 1,130 deaths were reported in a single day. However, considering the population, the infection rate in India is low compared to the US, Brazil, and Great Britain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to ease emergency measures to reactivate the already fragile economy of this populous country.

It is uncertain when foreign tourists will visit India again, where in 2018, the annual contribution of tourism was about 240 billion dollars (9.2% of GDP), and which employs more than 42 million people.

Local tourists are also discouraged by contradictory information about regional quarantine rules. Many are giving up their annual leave due to fear of infection.