GUWAHATI: The Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden is set to reopen from the 2nd of January 2021 after remaining closed for more than nine months due to the Covid-19 situation.
Initially, it was supposed to reopen from the 1st of December. However, the reopening was delayed due to the continued dangerous COVID-19 situation.
“We had plans to reopen the zoo, but due to the recurrence of Covid-19, we kept it closed,” said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Tejas Mariswamy.
As per the DFO, no tickets will be sold at the counter to avoid person-to-person interaction.
However, not all the sections of the Zoo will be open. The reptiles section will remain closed for the public. "The number of people will also be limited and the reptiles section will be closed and the rest will be open as per Covid protocols," the DFO told G Plus.
The detailed SOP for the reopening of the zoo will remain as usual like the one published before but will be applicable only from January 2.
The staff handling the ticketing and cash shall be fully under the protocol of N95 masks and gloves.
The registration counter/table shall be sanitized regularly. The table will be covered with rexin material on top, and the will be wiped clean with sanitizer three to four times during the counter timings.
The cash dealing counter/table shall be sanitized after every usage by a visitor.
The Assam State Zoo has over 100 species and around 80 odd personnel are directly involved in regular maintenance/management and upkeep of the animal population In Zoo.
The booking will be done online through ORCS. There will be booking personnel at the gate to assist the ticket booking online for those who don't have access to the internet.
However, no cash will be received by hand. Instead, if one doesn't have an e-payment option, he or she will be asked to drop the exact change into the note box assigned for the purpose.
All visitors should compulsorily wear a mask, else entry will not be allowed. Hand sanitizer and foot bath will be available at the entrance of the Zoo for sanitization purposes.
Battery operated vehicles shall ply with only one visitor in one row. After every trip, the vehicle will be thoroughly sanitized. No advance booking will be allowed for battery operated vehicle. The driver of the vehicle shall wear the mask, hand gloves, and sanitize himself from time to time.
Visitors will not be allowed to congregate at the viewpoint of the animal enclosure.
