Britain’s zoos re-opened today with visitors asked to keep a ‘lion’s length apart’

VISITORS were being asked to keep “a lion’s length apart” as zoos welcomed members of the public back today. Zoos and safari parks have been allowed to open their doors to visitors as part of efforts to begin reopening the economy. Long queues of people formed outside ZSL London Zoo in Regent’s Park, west London, […]

VISITORS were being asked to keep “a lion’s length apart” as zoos welcomed members of the public back today.

Zoos and safari parks have been allowed to open their doors to visitors as part of efforts to begin reopening the economy.

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Long queues formed at London Zoo,where guests kept their distance at the penguin enclosure[/caption]

Long queues of people formed outside ZSL London Zoo in Regent’s Park, west London, ahead of the park’s reopening for the first time since late March.

Parents and children were asked to respect two-metre social distancing and many wore face coverings.

Kathryn England, chief operating officer for ZSL London Zoo, said: “It’s been really quiet here so to be able to see people coming back with absolutely enormous smiles all over their faces really is a special moment for us all here.”

“We’ve really reconfigured the whole zoo so that people feel and are safe…there’s lots of signage around to remind them to keep a lion’s length apart, a tiger’s length apart.”

She added: “It’s so nice to see children beside themselves with excitement and parents relieved to be able to have a different place to come and entertain the children for a few hours.”

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Visitors were asked to keep ‘a lion’s length apart’ at London Zoo[/caption]

PA:Press Association

Lines formed at the gates of Chester Zoo on Monday as it reopened to visitors[/caption]

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Visitors maintained their distance from each other as they viewed the lion enclosure at Chester Zoo [/caption]

“What’s also nice is that the staff are absolutely thrilled to have people back, it’s great.”

Other zoos such as Chester Zoo also reopened on Monday.

Animal and wildlife venues were given the green light to reopen outdoor areas of their sites by the Government last week.

PA:Press Association

Animal and wildlife venues like Chester Zoo, above, were given the green light to reopen outdoor areas of their sites[/caption]

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Social distancing markings have been painted on the ground in London Zoo at Regents Park [/caption]

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A sign was put up in the giraffe enclosure at London Zoo to pay tribute to NHS workers[/caption]

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