AFP photo.
Agra: After a sudden increase in Covid-19 cases reported in China and other countries, the district administration of Agra has released an alert as it houses the country's one popular tourist attraction, Asian News International reported.
The Taj Mahal is visited by domestic and foreign tourists every day and in large numbers. Now, in view of the Covid-19 situation, these tourists are to undergo a Covid test before visiting the monument.
The District Health Information Officer (Agra), Anil Satsangi, said that the health department has already initiated tests to prevent the spread of infection. Now, tests have been made mandatory for all the visitors, Satsangi said.
Amid a surge in Covid cases across the globe, a high-level meeting comprising chief ministers of state and Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories is being chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the situation in the country.
On Wednesday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the situation in the wake of the Covid surge in China and other countries. He chaired a meeting of top officials and later asked people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places and getting vaccinated.
Mandaviya announced the scaling up of random screening of international passengers at airports, especially those who are travelling from countries reporting an increase in cases while reminding people to realise that Covid is still ongoing. Mandaviya also advised taking booster doses and wearing masks in crowded areas, NIE reported.
The subvariant known as BF.7 is the one that everyone is worried about. Gujarat saw the virus's first case in India in October, but the same state saw its second case a month later. The third incident occurred in Odisha.