Alaska Zoo to reopen May 1, with new policies in place

The Alaska Zoo will reopen on Friday, May 1, with a new public mitigation plan in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a press release, the zoo said it's received recommendations from the city and state public health officials to limit visitor numbers in defined periods of each day, specifically 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The last entry will be at 4:30 p.m. each day.

The zoo will only be open Thursdays through Sundays. This, officials said, allows for 72 hours of closed time for natural decontamination.

Other changes include ticket sales. Online admission purchases will be the only process now allowed, with no cards or cash transactions happening at the admissions counter.

Visitors ages two and over are also now required to wear face masks coverings all times at the zoo. Those not in compliance may be asked to leave. Visitors must also keep six feet of distance from others at all times, and the coffee shop, greenhouse, discovery center, playground, picnic area, and petting zoo remain closed.

For more information, you can go to the zoo's website

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