Eiffel Tower to reopen after longest closure since World War II

Workers are preparing the Eiffel Tower for reopening next week, after the coronavirus pandemic led to the iconic Paris landmark's longest closure since World War II.


``At first, only visits by the stairs will be available,'' Victoria Klahr, the spokeswoman for the tower's management, said Tuesday.

France's tourism industry is opening back up, but the 324-meter (1,063-feet) tall wrought-iron tower won't immediately welcome visitors the way it did before the country went into lockdown in March.


Only limited numbers of people will be allowed in when the Eiffel Tower opens again on June 25. Elevators to the top will be out of service, at least at first, and only the first and second floors will be accessible to the public.

Everyone over 11 years old will be required to wear face masks, and crowd control measures will be in place.
A stringent cleaning operation is in place and will continue daily from next week.


``There is a new protocol,`` said Eiffel Tower hygiene consultant Alain Miralles. ``The day cleaning teams will be able to clean all the points of contact every two hours, from the opening of the site to its closing,''

Paris tourism officials have expressed muted optimism about the city's reemergence as a travel destination. Since confinement measures were imposed in March, tourism levels have dropped by around 80% compared to the same month in previous years, they say.


Hotel owners are also keen to welcome visitors again, if realistic about the challenges ahead - and the competition among European countries to draw tourists back in the coronavirus era.

Hospitaity industry welcomed the French president's decision Sunday to let Paris restaurants reopen earlier than planned. Tourists planning trips to the City of Light are advised to book tickets to visit the Eiffel Tower online once the ticket office reopens Thursday.

In the image: French President Emmanuel Macron