Oregon Zoo still open, under strict Coronavirus guidelines

Posted October 2020

By Ione Walton

Staff Reporter

COVID-19 has made the Oregon Zoo enforce new regulations in the past few months to keep visitors safe from the virus.

Visitors must now reserve tickets online and in advance before visiting the zoo. If visitors have been feeling sick before their expected visiting date, the zoo is asking them to stay home. There is also a capacity limit and social distancing is required throughout the zoo. For some of the food stands, they have made ordering online accessible to create the least amount of contact possible. Face masks are also required in certain areas. For most of the zoo, face masks are highly recommended. If visitors have trouble breathing through masks or cannot for medical reasons wear one, they can request an accommodation by contacting the zoo ahead of time. Visitors who already have memberships at the zoo will have their memberships extended from the date the zoo closed and will resume when it all venues have fully reopened.

There have been events at the Oregon Zoo during the Coronavirus precautions. For example, the zoo staff recently gave pumpkins to some of the animals. The photos can be found on the website. There is also a Halloween event taking place from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1. The event will provide a option for visitors who will not be participating in Halloween traditions, such as trick-ortreating. The event is recommended for kids ages 2-12, but all ages are welcome to participate. Those wearing costumes must still wear masks and social distance. A scavenger hunt will take place, Prizes were purchased from companies that strictly use only deforestation-free palm oil.

“The zoo provides a fun and safe setting for this Halloween tradition,” states the Oregon Zoo's website. “Costumed trick-or-treaters learn about healthy habits for wildlife in a fun scavenger hunt throughout the zoo.”