Paris, 16 July 2021 (dpa/MIA) – The Eiffel Tower is reopening to visitors on Friday after months of being closed due to coronavirus restrictions. Tickets sold out online in advance for the Parisian landmark. The tower had to shut to visitors late last year as the pandemic forced the closure of multiple spots where crowds might gather and spread the disease. A reopening had been expected in December, but health conditions have not allowed it so far. It was the second coronavirus closure suffered at the tower, which was also shut down for parts of the spring of 2020, when the virus first started spreading through Europe. For the moment, visitors must wear a mask and maintain physical distancing. From July 21, tightened up rules come into force in France which mean visitors will have to show a negative test or proof of vaccination or recovery. However, young people and children are exempt for the time being. The more than 130-year-old Eiffel Tower near the river Seine is usually visited by around 7 million people every year. Last year there was a sharp drop in tourists because of coronavirus restrictions and the lack of international visitors. The monument, which is also known as “dame de fer” or iron lady in France, was built for the Paris World’s Fair and completed in 1889.