France's Louvre Museum reopens after 4-month shutdown

The Louvre, one of the most visited museums in the world, reopened to the public from 9 am on Monday local time. The opening came after it was shut down for nearly four months amid COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors are required to book tickets and reservation slots online. Mask-wearing is compulsory for visitors aged 11 and above. Signs reminding one-meter distance are set up at the entrance of the museum and in front of Mona Lisa.

Blue arrows were seen on ground, indicating the one-way direction of visiting route -- no possibility of going back. The museum welcomed about 7,400 visitors on the opening day. Most of them are from France and other European countries. Louvre was closed since March 13 due to the epidemic and it lost about 45 million U.S. dollars in ticket revenues, canceled events and shop sales. After reopening, it is estimated to welcome 4,000 to 10,000 visitors per day.