ST. LOUIS — It was a soft reopening of sorts Thursday at the Saint Louis Zoo.
Zoo members were the first to go through the turnstiles again after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the popular family attraction in St. Louis to close to the public. The zoo will reopen to the public on Saturday.
Guests now have to wear masks, unless they’re under the age of 9 or have health reasons that prevent them from covering their face.
Reservations are now needed to enter, but the Saint Louis Zoo remains free.
Photos taken inside the zoo Thursday showed guests wearing their face coverings.
READ MORE: Masks, reservations, social distancing: What to know as the Saint Louis Zoo reopens this week
Photos: Inside the Saint Louis Zoo as it reopens
There’s also a noticeable increase in signage throughout the park, encouraging guests to keep their distance from each other and – at times – the animals. Some exhibits, including in the Big Cat area and near the giraffes, have extra barriers set up to protect the animals.
“It is a coronavirus, so it’s an animal-borne virus that might be transmitted to other animals,” Director Michael Macek told 5 On Your Side. “We haven’t had any positive animals on grounds to date, but we want to keep it that way.”
Signs also indicated guests should not touch the glass enclosures to help stop the spread of the virus.
There also are more Plexiglas barriers throughout the park, including at food stands and on the train.
You can read more about the safety changes now in place at the zoo by clicking here.
