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India Shuts Down Taj Mahal, Ramps Up Measures to Control Coronavirus Outbreak

Anjana Pasricha

   NEW DELHI - India has closed the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the world's
   most visited tourist sites, as it battles the spread of coronavirus.

   The Culture Ministry said Tuesday it was "imperative" that people keep
   away from the monument in the city of Agra, whose allure has apparently
   not been dimmed by the coronavirus scare. Each day, about 20,000 Indian
   and foreign tourists visit the Taj Mahal, a number that usually doubles
   on weekends.

   Harsh Singh, who traveled with his family from New Delhi, said there
   were huge crowds when he visited the monument on Saturday. "The line
   for tickets was really long," he said.

   Dozens of other monuments that are popular with tourists have also been
   shut.

   The closure of top tourist sites comes as states across much of India
   shut down schools, colleges, shopping malls, theaters and cancel
   sporting events in a bid to halt the outbreak of the respiratory
   disease.

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