Kathmandu: The Central Zoo in Lalitpur which is closed since March 20 due to coronavirus pandemic is preparing to reopen by adopting health protocols.
Chief of the Central Zoo, Dr Chiranjibi Prasad Pokhrel, said that they were planning to reopen the zoo as its closure for long was affecting the food supplies for animals as well as the employees’ management.
“Coronavirus infection has not reduced but the terror is reduced to some extents. The zoo will be opened for certain days in a week and the set of rules for this is also ready,” Pokhrel added.
Once the rules are unveiled, the zoo administration will allow visitors of around 800 people at a time, and the visitors would be prevented from feeding and touching the animals.
Use of facemask is mandatory, games for the children are restricted and the visitors could stay maximum one and half hours from 10 am to 5 pm, according to Pokhrel.
With the closure of the zoo for almost eight months, the Central Zoo is facing hardships for its management owing to zero income.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, a total of 80 staff were mobilised but 20 staff are laid off now.
