Agra: Screening 30k people at Taj Mahal for Coronavirus not possible, says ASI

Amid the Coronavirus scare and six people testing positive for the same in Agra, locals and tour operators are concerned about its impact on people visiting the monument every day. Also, as per the latest reports, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stated that they don’t have the equipment or technology to screen the estimated 30000 visitors, who visit the monument every day.

This statement comes after the growing scare of Coronavirus that has gripped Agra, with the infected people being transferred to Delhi for further treatment.Referring to this, ASI official said that there is no special equipment or technology at the monument to screen that number of tourists. The official also informed that if anyone is visibly found having symptoms of extreme fever, cold and cough, they need to inform the health department and get checked.
At this point of time, locals opine that Taj Mahal, one of the popular tourist hotspots, should remain closed for some time. However, the tourism industry thinks otherwise, as they believe that closing the monument for the visitors would send a wrong message across the world and that there should be arrangements for screening the tourists at Taj Mahal.

The ASI official also added that they cannot do much until someone informs them, further stating that the airport is already using thermal imaging technology for tourists coming to India as part of precautionary measures and an advisory has also been issued to hotels.