The Taj Mahal reopened to visitors on Monday in a symbolic business-as-usual gesture amid increasing COVID-19 cases in the country. The monument was closed to the tourists in March as India went under a strict lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

Taj Mahal is reopening as a part of Unlock 4, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has eased the restrictions and allowed several business activities to resume.

In recent months, the government has started activities on many train routes, domestic flights, markets, restaurants, and now, visiting the Taj Mahal.

According to the Unlock 4 guidelines issued on August 30, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has permitted social, academic, sports, entertainment functions and other congregations with up to 100 people from September 21. The guidelines have also permitted to partially re-open the schools, on a voluntary basis for Classes 9 to 12.

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The officials at Agra are working hard in order to maintain social distancing and imposing COVID-19 guidelines. Only 5,000 visitors will be permitted daily and tickets can only be bought online.

“Circles are being marked, the mask would be a must and nobody would be able to enter without thermal screening,” Vasant Swarnkar, a senior archaeologist in charge of Agra’s monuments, told reporters.

The world-famous white marble mausoleum, Taj Mahal, is India’s most popular tourist site. Nearly 7 million people visit the site every year that helps boosting the country’s economy.