The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is reopening Friday at 9 a.m. after being closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In order to accommodate for social distancing, the zoo will operate at a limited capacity and asks guests to purchase their tickets online, which will reserve their entry time and prevent overcrowding.
About 1,300 people will be allowed in the zoo at a time.
Zoo members will still receive free entry, but they will also need to reserve their entrance time. All memberships will be extended about three months due to the closure.
Paper maps are no more for the time being. The zoo is providing a digital map online for guests.
As the zoo proceeds in the initial reopening phase, not all attractions will be open.
Zoorassic Park, Winged Wonders Bird Show and Stingray Bay will be open, but keeper chats and presentations, play areas – such as Dino Dig, Meerkat Play and Wilderness Falls – Giraffe Feeding Station, Valley Farms, Tropical Treasure, Reptile Building and Roo Walkabout will all be closed.
Reservations can be made at the zoo’s website, fresnochaffeezoo.org.
The zoo is also asking guests to observe the following health-safety guidelines:
- All guests should follow social distancing and maintain a 6-foot difference from other guests.
- All staff will wear face masks. Guests 12 and over should bring a face mask to wear when social distancing is not possible.
- Guests should minimize contact with high-touch areas, wash or sanitize their hands frequently and avoid touching their face.
- If a guest is sick or has a fever, he or she should stay home and postpone the visit.
