Covid-19 alert sounded at Taj Mahal, testing mandatory for all visitors: officials

Amid rising Covid-19 cases globally, Agra's Taj Mahal has been put on high alert.

Officials at the world heritage site have now made Covid-19 testing mandatory for both domestic and international visitors 

Saying that the monument is frequented by a large number of travellers every day, officials added that entry won't be allowed without a negative Covid report.

Also watch: Covid: Health minister's speech in Parliament on China situation, India's status, govt's decisions

The development has emerged amid a surge in coronavirus cases in China, US, South Korea and several other countries in the wake of a new strain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also convened a meeting on Thursday to review the overall COVID-19 situation in the country.

The meeting comes a day after Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the situation and asked people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places, and getting vaccinated.  

India has now started 2 per cent random sampling of international travellers coming to the country and may consider making it mandatory for all if necessary, as per Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

(With PTI inputs)