New Delhi: In an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19 infection, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday ordered lockdown of all centrally protected monuments. As a precautionary measure, the department has also cancelled permissions given for filming, photography and cultural events in these premises till March 31, 2020.
The order was issued following a high-level meeting of ministers headed by the Tourism and Culture Minister Prahlad Patel, in the wake of the pandemic on Monday.
The ASI order stated, “Keeping in view COVID-19, the Ministry Of Culture has decided to shut all ASI monuments, sites and museums till March 31. All the online permissions like filming, free entry, photography, cultural events issued for the above period shall also remain cancelled.”
Currently, ASI has around 3,691 centrally protected monuments and sites under its jurisdiction.
Till date, 126 positive cases have been reported in India. Among them, three have lost their lives due to the deadly infection.
