By Rachael Risby Raz | International Relations Advisor
At the beginning of the covid-19 virus lockdown in Israel in mid-March, the Zoo was closed to the public for an extended period for the first time ever in its history,
After nearly two months of closure and after lobbying by the Zoo Association that we lead, the Government allowed limited visits for families with special needs kids, who had an especially difficult time under lockdown. The joy of these children being able to visit the Zoo after weeks inside their homes was something we won't forget for a long time!
Now the Zoo is open to the general public but with limitations on visitor numbers.
Special precautions have been put in place to protect both visitors and staff alike: face masks are mandatory at all times; special disinfection of handrails, public restrooms and other areas; closure of water fountains, indoor exhibits (such as the Small Animal House and exhibits with crawling tunnels (such as the prairie dogs). Additionally, the Zoo has added a number of special stations for hand washing and water-bottle filling with non-touch, infra-red technology.
As a result of the closure, the educational programs at the Zoo, obviously, were brought to a halt.
Group visits have also not been allowed until this past week and it is lovely to hear the noisy sounds of children by the lake again. A number of groups came this past week and now the school year has come to a close and the summer holidays have began.
Stay Safe and Keep Well,
Rachael and the Education Team
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