Reopening for the general public amidst COVID days from Thursday (December 10), the world renowned Chhatbir Zoo has laid down with strict COVID-19 protocol for the safety of zoo visitors, employees, and animals including cashless and online sale of tickets, only two-hour visit time, 2,700 visitors a day with staggered entry, providing medicated mats, touch-free hand wash and sanitizer dispensers at strategic points with a dedicated disinfection squad to disinfect the premises during break.
That was not all! The violators of the protocol or rules will have to shell out Rs 500.
Sharing the information, MC Zoological Park, Chhatbir, field director M Sudhagar said that the Punjab Government has approved the proposal of Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation and given go ahead for the reopening of Chhatbir Zoo on December 10.
“The visitors will get the opportunity to see Tiger cubs — Amar, Arjun and Dilnoor — on display for the first time. Also, the Indian Fox with her new born pups will be on public display for the first time,” he said.
Apart from this, many new facilities and amenities such as Mom and Baby care room, free Wi-Fi hotspots, coffee booth, control room, selfie points, new rest room, hassle-free parking, touch-free hand wash and sanitizer dispensers, etc have been added in the zoo for the visitors, he said.
Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zoo administration has decided to temporarily close the Reptile House, Nocturnal house, Wildlife Safari (Lion safari and Deer safari). Besides, the facilities like Cloak Room, Luggage or Locker Room has also been withdrawn temporarily, thus advising the visitors not to carry any luggage or any such articles requiring these facilities.
“Keeping in view of the public demand and the Government’s recent guidelines, the zoo administration has worked out the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prepare towards re-opening of Chhatbir Zoo and its facilities for the visitors which need to be followed to ensure the safety of visitors, employees, workers and animals in Zoo,” he said.
Sudhagar said that the Zoo will be opened for public for six days a week, and remain close on Monday. The entry for visitors will be allowed from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, instead of earlier schedule of 9 am to 5 pm.
“To ensure the optimal carrying capacity in the Zoo at any point of time, the number of visitors entering zoo has been regulated. Maximum of 2,700 visitors will be allowed to visit the zoo in a single day till the normalcy returns. Only a limited number of timed tickets will be available in different slot to ensure staggered entry and social distancing. The entry tickets will be valid only for two hours after the entry,” he said.
As per the schedule, the Zoo’s entry will open at 9:30 am, and maximum of 900 visitors will be allowed to enter in three slots — from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, 12 noon to 2 pm, and 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. “There will be half an hour breaks for sanitization at 11:30 am, and 2 pm, and the zoo’s entry would close at 4:30 pm,” said Sudhagar.
He said that the tickets for zoo entry, parking, battery operated carts etc can be booked through online booking, the link for which has been provided in the zoo website — chhatbirzoo.gov.in.
Apart from this, cashless transactions through QR code system and PoS machines will also be available in zoo booking counter for those visitors who are unable to do online booking at home.
“Initially Battery Operated Carts (Ferry) with charter (reserved) system will only be allowed for family or related persons, who may reserve a full cart at the prescribed rate. Social distance norms and safety measures will be followed by the operator as per guidelines. Based on the experience and feedback, hop-on hop-off system may be considered to be opened later for individual visitor,” he said.
To prevent the spread of contamination and to maintain self-hygiene, medicated foot mat, touch-free sensor based hand wash facilities have been provided in zoo entry and other strategic points. Apart from these, touch-free sanitizer dispensers have been installed in all the important facilities of zoo.
For sanitization of barricades, railings outside the animal enclosures, public amenities (toilets, drinking water points, rain shelters, leisure points etc), a dedicated Disinfection Squad has been deputed and there will be frequent breaks or closure in using the facilities.
Single use plastic will not be allowed inside zoo, while plastic water bottles and medicine containers may be allowed after screening.
To provide the minimum essential eatables for the visitors, the Zoo administration is planning to operate a canteen inside zoo to serve the packed food items, bottled drinking water, tea, coffee etc with all the safety norms.
The zoo administration has also issued guidelines for the visitors. “Visitors shall come to zoo only when they do not have cough, cold, and fever symptoms. Adults above 65 years and children below five years of age are requested not to visit the zoo till the normalcy returns in the zoo,” said the Zoo field director.
He said that all the visitors should compulsorily wear face masks while entering the zoo premises. “In case, they forget to carry the facemask, they can purchase facemask, the counter for which has been created at the entrance of Zoo,” he added.
Only cashless and online booking will be allowed for purchasing Zoo entry tickets. The Entry tickets will be valid only for two hours after the entry inside zoo.
“All visitors shall compulsorily pass over the medicated foot-mat at the entrance of the Zoo. Visitors shall undergo body temperature scanning while entering zoo premises. All visitors shall strictly maintain social distance while in zoo. Avoid touching barricades and other surfaces in zoo so as to minimize chances of spread and contamination. Movement should be along designated visitor path only and avoid diversions or shortcuts. Visitors shall avoid spitting in open areas of zoo. None shall not chew pan masala, gutka and khaini and spit in zoo premises,” he said.
Sudhagar added that all visitors shall be under the strict monitoring and the violators of any of the guidelines shall be imposed fine of minimum Rs 500 per violation per head.
