India's iconic Taj Mahal has been closed to visitors on Tuesday (March 17) as part of measures to try and combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Along with the Taj Mahal, dozens of other protected monuments and museums across in the country including the Ajanta and Ellora caves and religious sites such as the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai have been ordered closed.

The iconic Taj Mahal was closed to visitors from today as part of measures to try and combat the coronavirus pandemic.Taj mahal usually crowded with foreign tourists and local visitors.Many visitors without having any information of the closure arrived to the Taj mahal and returned with disappointment.Along with the Taj Mahal, dozens of other protected monuments and museums across in the country including the Ajanta and Ellora caves and religious sites such as the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai were ordered closed.

Most schools and entertainment facilities, including cinemas, have already been closed across India, the world's second-most populous country with 1.3 billion people. India has reported 137 positive cases and three deaths from the virus. Worldwide, the number of deaths has passed 7000 with more than 168,000 infections in 142 countries and territories.

India expanded its travel and visa restrictions on Monday, banning passengers traveling from member countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Travelers coming from or transiting through the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine when they arrive in India.