All UK Zoos and Safari Parks will be allowed to reopen from 15 June.
Boris Johnson is to announce the news today amid growing fears that many would be bankrupted into the summer months.
In a perplexing decision earlier this month zoo’s were advised to remain closed indefinitely. A decision that sparked outrage as zoo’s are wide open spaces more than capable of practising social distancing.
Various campaigns began to save our zoo’s with Chester Zoo raising over £2.4 Million in a fundraising effort to keep the zoo going.
A Downing Street official said:
“People are continuing to make huge sacrifices to reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid a second spike, but we know it is tough and where we can safely open up more attractions, and it is supported by the science, we will do so.
This is by necessity a careful process, but we hope the reopening of safari parks and zoos will help provide families with more options to spend time outdoors, while supporting the industry caring for these incredible animals.”
Someone has definitely changed their tune very quickly indeed!
Indoor exhibits will remain closed. Catering outlets will have takeaway service only to comply with social distancing.
Whilst this is great news and we can finally breathe a sigh of relief again. You can’t help but wonder why this wasn’t done MUCH sooner.
For some of the smaller UK zoos it may already be too late.
Our local attraction Chester Zoo released the following statement today:
“YOU DID IT! A week ago, we were in despair, not knowing when we would reopen, or if we could even survive much longer…
BUT YOUR VOICES HAVE BEEN HEARD!
We have JUST received the news that we’ll be able to open safely from 15 June.
Your support has been incredible. Every kind donation, every word of support. It really is making a HUGE difference.
The fight isn’t over for us just yet. But, for now, we want to celebrate this huge moment of relief with you.
There’s no denying that we have suffered severe financial damage over the past three months and the road to recovery will be long and uncertain. But, your incredibly kind donations, animal adoptions and memberships are giving us a vital lifeline.
Over the next few days we’ll be letting you know when and how you’ll be able to book a ticket to visit. Please bear with us while we do this.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. You are SAVING OUR ZOO.
