The Eiffel Tower on Friday opened for visitors after being shut for nine months amid the COVID pandemic, reports AFP. This was the longest closure for the iconic monument since the World War II.

Up to 13,000 people per day will be allowed to take the elevators to the top and take in the views over the French capital, down from 25,000 in the pre-COVID era.

On Friday, tourists were whisked to the top of the 1,000-foot tall ‘Iron Lady’ where they could witness the views of Paris. “It’s a gift to be here — We really love Paris,” said Ila, who came from Hamburg, Germany, and waited more than two hours with her daughter Helena to be among the first to the top.

Also Read: After 135 years, Washington gets its own Statue of Liberty

“Tourism is coming back to Paris and we can again share the happiness, with visitors from around the world, of this monument and Paris,” said Jean-Francois Martins, head of the tower’s operating company.

From next week, starting Wednesday, it will be mandatory for visitors to show proof of COVID vaccination of provide a negative test report. This is in line with the new restrictions announced by President Emmanuel Macron to check the spread of coronavirus.

At the Tower, half of the visitors now are expected to be French. The operating company also expects a large number of Italian and Spanish tourists.

Also Read: Anne Frank: Girl who etched the horrors of Holocaust in the world’s memory

The long closure has caused havoc with the finances of the operating company, Sete, which runs the monument on behalf of Paris city authorities.

The masterpiece by architect Gustave Eiffel has also been hit by problems linked to its latest paint job, the 20th time it has been repainted since its construction in 1889.

Work was halted in February because of high levels of lead detected on the site, which poses a health risk to labourers.

Tests are still underway and painting is set to resume only in the autumn, meaning a part of the facade is obscured by scaffolding and safety nets.