Eiffel Tower to re-open - but you will have to take the stairs
A sign that reads, "Mandatory to wear a mask on all the site", is seen at the entrance of the Eiffel Tower as she gets ready to re-open to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris, France, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
The Eiffel Tower is preparing to welcome back visitors after the COVID-19 lockdown, but they will need to be fit: because of lingering concerns about infection, the elevators will initially be off-limits.
Workers at the Parisian landmark, which looms 324 metres (1,062 feet) over the French capital, were on Wednesday making preparations to re-open on June 25, after three months of shutdown. It has been the site's longest period out of action since World War Two.
Managers said they hoped to get operations fully back to normal later in the summer. In the meantime, a series of safety measures will be in place.
A sign reminding about social distancing is seen at the Eiffel Tower as she gets ready to re-open to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris, France, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Visitors will not be able to go any higher than the second level of the tower, and until the start of July access will be only via the staircases. The elevators, with their confined space, represent a risk of disease transmission.
There will also be a one-way traffic system in force on the staircases, and all visitors over the age of 11 will be required to wear a face covering.
"To attract people, the most important thing is that security measures are taken, and that's why we're promoting safe distances," said Patrick Branco Ruivo, director of the Eiffel Tower's operating company.
A general view shows the Eiffel Tower as she gets ready to re-open to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris, France, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
He said that with foreign travel yet to recover from restrictions put in place to slow the pandemic, most of the visitors would in the initial stage be domestic.
"For the French public, this is the moment to come to the Eiffel Tower," said Branco Ruivo.
A sign reminding about social distancing is seen at the Eiffel Tower as she gets ready to re-open to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris, France, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
(Reporting by Christian Hartmann and Noemie Olive; Writing by Matthieu Protard and Christian Lowe; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
A sign that reads, "Mandatory to wear a mask on all the site", is seen at the entrance of the Eiffel Tower as she gets ready to re-open to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris, France, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Christian HartmannSigns reminding about social distancing is seen at the Eiffel Tower as she gets ready to re-open to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris, France, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Christian HartmannSigns reminding about social distancing is seen at the Eiffel Tower as she gets ready to re-open to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris, France, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Christian HartmannSigns reminding about social distancing is seen at the Eiffel Tower as she gets ready to re-open to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris, France, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Christian HartmannA general view shows the Eiffel Tower as she gets ready to re-open to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris, France, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Christian HartmannCleanliness and hygiene expert Alain Miralles uses an swab to ensure that a telescope is clean as the Eiffel Tower gets ready to re-open to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris, France, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
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