The Louvre museum in Paris opened again today after closing for three and a half months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The museum threw open its doors, but to a European crowd only. With international borders still shut, visitors hailing from other countries will need to wait until restrictions are lifted. That figure is usually 70% of total museum visitors.

Louvre Director Jean-Luc Martinez said the numbers are dropping from their customary highs: “We are losing 80% of our public. We are going to be at best 20-30% down on last summer - between 4,000-10,000 visitors a day”,

According to the museum’s website, the Louvre ranks as the world’s most-visited museum, welcoming 10 million people each year, but lockdown has seen a revenue drop of USD 45 million, the website also reported. Its recent closure has been the longest since its shuttering in World War II.

Masks will be compulsory for all who enter, and a time for entry must be booked, according to the website. Larger groups are welcome but of up to 25 people only.