On July 14, two days after the Bastille Day festivities lit up with fireworks, the Eiffel Tower, the Parisian epitome, gave a new greeting to the tourists. After nine months of closure due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the Eiffel Tower has been reopened to the public on Friday, July 16. It was the longest shutdown in history since World War II.
The smile on people's faces were broad and emotions were clearly palpable. As the countdown clock at the bottom of the tower reached zero, the cheers erupted and applause from visitors queuing to get in, as well as a brass band was played and people began entering from the entrance to get to the top of the tower.
"We feel very lucky to be here," said Patrick Perutka, an 18-year-old Croat, who had been waiting for the gate to open for three hours.
Although the fear of corona virus in the minds of people is gradually fading away and it is also good but measures to prevent Covid-19 are necessary. Due to persistent concerns about the coronavirus, mask use is still required for anyone over the age of 11 years, and each elevator loading car will carry only half the number of normal-time visitors.
From Wednesday July 21, all visitors aged over 18 years will be required mandatory to show the French government's "health card" when they enter the Eiffel Tower. They have to show passes to prove they have been fully vaccinated, or that recently COVID-19 has been a test that is negative.
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| An Alternative View of Eiffel Tower © Chris Karidis / Unsplash |
Unlike normal days, the daily capacity of visitors at the Eiffel Tower will be limited to 13,000, which is about half the regular level of pre-pandemic norm. These rules are only for the protect tourists from Covid-19 - it is necessary.
Before the COVID pandemic, the 324-meter-high wrought-iron lattice tower welcomed more than seven million visitors a year - 80% of whom were foreigners, 20% French. On last year's visitor charts, 80% were French, 20% foreign. Built in 1889, the tower which is about the same height as an 81-storey building, has attracted a total of 300 million guests since its opening; And one highlights is that the climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps.
Good news for foreign tourists that France has opened its doors to international tourists this summer, but there are different rules for them as to which country they are flying to France from. However, visitors are returning back to Paris because their numbers are far from normal levels.
The nationalities of those who have booked tickets presents evidence of the impact of the pandemic on global travel. Half of the number of visitors receiving reservations are French, while Italians and Spaniards represent a higher number than usual. According to an AFP report, around 15% are from the US, a few are from Asia, and hardly any are Brits.
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