Bhubaneswar: After remaining out of bound for visitors for over six months amid COVID-19 outbreak, Nandankanan Zoological Park reopened its gate for visitors Sunday.
That said, the visitors will have to adhere to certain guidelines issued by zoo authorities.
All the visitors must undergo body temperature scanning at the gate. The visitors having cold, cough or temperature will not be allowed into the park.
E-ticket booking would be prioritised over manual ticket booking and contactless transaction will be encouraged.
All visitors will be asked to wear masks or facial covering that covers the nose and mouth. Those above 65 years of age will not be allowed to visit the zoo.
Visitors should avoid luggage, which needs facilities such as locker or cloakroom. They must pass over the medicated foot mat, whole body sanitizer or any such installations fixed at the zoo entrance.
Visitors have to maintain social distance inside the zoo premises and avoid touching barricades and other surfaces. They have to move along the designated visitor path only. They should not spit or chew pan masala, gutka or khaini while inside the zoo.
The zoo management will ensure additional cleaning and disinfection measures of all facilities, especially elements that are touched frequently. There should be provisions of hand sanitizers or hand wash at multiple strategic places.
At places where queues might form like entry gate, there would be marks on the ground to maintain social distance among the queuing up visitors.
The zoo authorities will use their discretion with respect to limiting per day maximum number of visitors.
The staff whose job requires frequent interaction with visitors would be asked to wear face shields, gloves and mask.
Notably, State Botanical Garden at the zoo has also been reopened. And the guidelines of Nandankanan zoo are to be followed for visitors to the garden. No permission will be given for picnic until further orders, a zoo official said.
PNN
