The Mahabodhi Temple in Gaya, Bihar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reopened on Friday, August 27th, after being shuttered in April due to the state's COVID-19 shutdown.
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Nangzey Dorjee, secretary of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), stated that the temple will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the week. The temple committee claims that it will be open every day of the week, with all COVID protocols in place.
Dorjee has requested cooperation from the pilgrims that visit the site.
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On May 5, Bihar went into total lockdown after the state saw a surge in COVID-19 infection, impacting footfall at the shrine, which attracts both foreign and local tourists every year. The temple's shutdown had an impact on the state's tourism industry. Taxi drivers, tour guides, hotels, restaurants, and e-rickshaw drivers were among those affected.
According to official statistics released by the Union Health Ministry, there are now 107 ongoing COVID-19 cases, with 9,650 individuals having died as a result of the virus.
On Friday, Bihar reported 21 additional coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to 114. In addition, two people died from the illness in the same time frame. On August 25, the state administration announced an easing of lockdown restrictions, allowing stores, parks, malls, and religious institutions to operate regularly, as well as movie halls, gyms, swimming pools, and restaurants with a 50% capacity in order to improve the state's COVID-19 situation.. It also called for better management of the state's pandemic situation.
From August 26 to September 25, the relaxation will remain in effect. All universities, colleges, technical educational institutions, and schools (from Grades I to XII), as well as coaching institutes, will reopen as usual, according to the Chief Minister. The tests can be held in public universities, colleges, and schools.
On May 5, the state was placed under complete lockdown due to an increase in COVID infections.