LA Zoo Guests Are Being Asked To Reserve A Timed Ticket After COVID Reopening

After a 166-day shut down due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is finally reopening its doors to the public.

The attraction, home to over 1,400 different animals, closed to the public in March as part of the state’s “Safer at Home” orders. Initially, it was only expected to be closed for a couple of weeks, but despite California allowing the reopening of zoos, museums and other similar properties in June, the property remained closed. Shortly after, California began to see a surge in positive COVID-19 cases, which further delayed the reopening as businesses were forced to shut down again.

Now, with cases starting to trend down, the zoo has officially reopened but will be utilizing several new safety measures to ensure that guests and staff are not at risk of contracting the deadly illness, which, according to the CDC, has affected over 673,000 people in the state so far.

According to NBC 4 LA, all guests will not have to reserve timed tickets online before visiting by selecting specific days and time they want to visit. Their tickets will then be sent by email and scanned at the entrance. Reserved time slots are held until 45 minutes after the hour, and once people arrive within the permitted time frame, they are free to stay and enjoy the zoo for as long as they want. The last permitted entry is at 3:45 p.m. and the property closes at 5 p.m. Attendance will be capped each day, and no re-entry will be permitted either.

Signage and markers will also be placed throughout the zoo and the property is implementing enhanced cleaning procedures, with hand sanitizer stations available at Safari Shuttle stops, food facilities and other locations.

Everyone is required to also wear face coverings, and staff will have to submit to daily temperature checks and will have to stay home if they are experiencing any signs of illness.

In-person talks and presentations are also suspended, and according to the zoo’s website, other closures include the indoor gift shop, Papiano Play Park, Gorilla Grill, and more spaces.

News of the reopening caused some excitement on social media, though others were less impressed, since other area attractions, like Universal Studios Hollywood in Burbank, Disneyland in Anaheim, Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park and Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, remain closed.