Coronavirus: Eiffel tower reopens after 9 months

PARIS — The Eiffel Tower opened to visitors Friday for the first time in nearly nine months after closing because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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The reopening occurred even as France introduces new rules in order to quell the quick-moving virus variants.

The Tour Eiffel, its French name, was ordered closed in October as cases of the virus surged. It remained closed for renovations.

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Eiffel tower reopens after 9 months Visitors take a selfie with a phone from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Friday, July 16, 2021. The Eiffel Tower is reopening Friday for the first time in nine months, just as France faces new virus rules aimed at taming the fast-spreading delta variant. The "Iron Lady" was ordered shut in October as France battled its second surge of the virus. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler/AP)

The reopening comes as French President Emmanuel Macron outlined new measures to slow the spread of the virus, including mandatory vaccinations for health care workers and mandatory COVID-19 passes to enter restaurants and other venues.

On Wednesday, all visitors aged 18 and older will have to show proof that they are fully vaccinated, have had a negative virus test or have recently recovered from the virus. Visitors are required to wear a mask and attendance will be capped each day.

“We worked, we worked, we worked (for this day). And when I saw my first visitor, I was very, very happy. Emotion and happiness,” said Eiffel Tower director Patrick Branco Ruivo. “Before COVID, it was 80% foreigners, 20% French. Last year, it was 80% French, 20% foreigners. And this year, it’s amazing because it’s 50-50. And for us, it’s the time that foreigners are coming back to the Eiffel Tower.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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