Eiffel Tower re-opens after 104-day virus lockdown, but with strict measures

Eiffel Tower in Paris re-opened on Thursday after three months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, its longest period out of action since World War Two.

Some 700 visitors, mostly from France, have booked their spot for a tour on the first day of the iconic tower's reopening, following strict hygiene and safety measures.

Coronavirus-era rules for visitors as listed on the tower's website include:

- all visitors (from 11 years old) must wear a face mask

- at first, only visits by the stairs will be available. To ensure that ascending and descending visitors do not meet, ascent will take place from the East pillar and descent by the West pillar

- a limited number of visitors on the esplanade and on each floor will be secured

- significant signage and ground markings are installed to implement physical distancing

- daily cleaning and disinfection of public spaces at the tower