KATHMANDU, Dec 10: The Central Zoo, located at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur district, reopened after a hiatus of nine months on Thursday.
The zoo, which remained closed after March 20 this year following the nationwide lockdown enforced to curb the spread of the COVID-19 infection has resumed by adhering to health-safety protocols to avoid the viral infection.
Central Zoo going digital
The zoo is strictly following the measures against the pandemic, according to Dr Chiranjibi Pokharel, the chief of the Zoo Management. Visitors are required to abide by various rules including mandatorily wearing a face mask, leaving the zoo premises within two and a half hours and avoid all kinds of food items inside the zoo. The zoo management has also decided not to allow more than 800 visitors to make an entry to the zoo while children are restricted from playing at the fun parks on the zoo premises.
The zoo management does not only keep the records of those entering the zoo but also of those making an exit from the zoo. The number of visitors leaving and entering the zoo will be equal, according to Dr Pokharel. Only a limited number of visitors at a time are allowed inside the zoo during its opening hours from 10AM to 5PM.
Here are some photos taken on the zoo premises on Thursday afternoon.