JAKARTA - Good news coming from Paris, France. Along with easing restrictions and the EU began to open up to foreign tourists who had already been vaccinated. The Eiffel Tower in Paris will reopen to the public.
In its announcement, the tour manager of the Eiffel Tower area societe de La Tour Eiffel (SETE) said the international attraction will reopen on July 16, after closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, there are still a number of rules related to health protocols, such as the application of social distance so that visitors will be limited to only 10 thousand ornag per day. This is half of the daily capacity before COVID-19.
Elevator access is also limited to 50 percent compared to normal. Meanwhile, all floors of the Eiffel Tower are accessible to visitors, except, the area where renovations are still taking place.
Yes, in addition to the pandemic, the Eiffel Tower is also undergoing renovations, even becoming the largest in the last 130 years to prepare for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
One of the work done is painting with a golden pattern. But painting was halted after traces of lead were found in the existing coating, making it dangerous to continue.
With this reopening, the Eiffel Tower ended its longest closure since World War II. This dance was closed for more than three months during the COVID-19 wave in France.
"After several months of closure, we can't wait if our staff and visitors return with, of course, strict compliance with sanitary protocols," SETE President Jean-François Martins said in a statement, addressing The National Saturday, May 22.
Before the pandemic, the tower, which was completed in 1888, could be visited by up to seven million visitors each year. Three-quarters of this number comes from abroad.
Last year, the manager suffered losses of up to 53 million euros and had to seek new financing. This year, it is estimated that losses will reach 70 million euros due to COVID-19 restrictions. To visit, online booking can be done from June 1.
"We cannot absorb the years of loss with our existing capital. We hope the Paris authorities help us get through this," Martins said.
For the record, Wednesday this week Paris announced an easing of restrictions this summer, after more than six months in the COIVD-19 restrictions.
Cafes and restaurants with terraces or rooftop gardens can now offer outdoor dinners.
This is in line with the second phase of the lockout plan that will lead to a full reopening of the economy on June 30. Museums, cinemas and several theaters also reopened after being closed for 203 days. And, Disneyland Paris, another tourist magnet, announced it would reopen to the public on June 17.
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