All monuments, including Taj Mahal and Red Fort, to open from July 6

Over 3,400 monuments were closed for the public by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) on March 17, days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared lockdown to break the chain of coronavirus infection.

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Pralhad Singh Patel, announced the decision on Twitter.

  "Photos of Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), Purana Quila (Delhi), Khajuraho (world heritage monument). I have decided that from July 6 all monuments can reopen with precautions," Mr Patel tweeted. 

Some 820 religious monuments under the ASI were declared open after the government announced a phased exit from the two-month-long coronavirus induced lockdown under Unlock 1.0.

However, the government has said the monuments can open based on the decision of the states where they are located, considering the coronavirus situation.

The highly-revered Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh opened last month with measures like physical distancing, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) suits for temple staff and fewer tickets.

On June 30, the Central government announced the second phase of lockdown exit, except containment zones.