French authorities have started implementing entry restrictions in central Paris ahead of the July 26 opening ceremony for the Summer Olympic Games.
Athletes from around the world will ride boats along over 6-kilometer route on the Seine River during the opening ceremony parade.
On Thursday, the authorities set up a terrorism alert zone using metal fences and other barriers along about 10 kilometers of the river.
Access to the zone is generally restricted except for those who live or work within it, as well as officials and staff working for the Olympics.
Near the Eiffel Tower, residents were seen showing pre-approved entrance passes to police officers to enter the area.
A resident said that she agrees with the strict security measures as anything could happen.
People who were not aware of the restrictions or had not yet received a pass were seen giving up trying to pass through.
A man on a bike said that he wanted to cross a bridge to get to his workplace but couldn’t due to the restrictions. He said he had assumed only vehicles were barred from the area.
A cafe manager said that the number of customers will probably decrease by more than half as the streets are closed.
She said that the Olympic Games are a festival for Paris, but business owners have mixed feelings about them.