Coronavirus: Zoo Boise set to reopen with precautions, statewide numbers top 3,300
Zoo Boise is set to reopen Monday, but the city is taking a variety of new precautions to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
As the state topped 3,300 confirmed cases of the virus Thursday, city authorities plan to limit the number of people allowed into the facility at one time. The zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but to reduce lines and allow for physical distancing, Zoo Boise has implemented a timed entry process.
Guests will have to enter in the 30-minute block for which their tickets were purchased on the specific date listed.
Zoo Boise is asking guests to wear masks when they visit but is not requiring them. This request is for the health and safety of zoo guests and staff, and all of the animals.
“We are grateful for the community’s support over the last three months as we worked to keep our employees and animals safe,” said Doug Holloway, Boise Parks and Recreation director, in a news release. “Our team looks forward to welcoming guests back to the zoo, and although you will notice some changes, please know your health and safety are always our top priority.”
Changes at the zoo include:
- Tickets must be purchased in advance. All visitors, including members, are required to reserve a ticket for a specific time slot to enter the zoo before arrival.
Guests will have to enter in the 30-minute block for which their tickets were purchased on the specific date listed.
Once guests enter the zoo, there will be a set, one-way path to walk around the zoo allowing 6 feet of physical distancing between groups. The one-way path takes approximately two hours to walk through.
Some confined areas will be closed, including the small animal kingdom, the penguin pavilion, the schoolhouse, the bat house, the zoo carousel and all playground areas. The butterfly exhibit will not open this season.
There will be no animal encounters yet, such as visitors feeding animals, due to recommendations in regard to animal safety.
Zoo concessions, stroller rentals and an outdoor gift shop will be open with limited operations.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at zooboise.org/online-ticketing/. Refunds will not be available. For information, call Zoo Boise at 208-608-7760
Over 100 new coronavirus cases reported in Idaho
For the first time since April 3, Idaho reported over 100 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday, according to state and local health officials.
In total, 102 confirmed cases were made public Thursday, with exactly half of those cases being reported in Ada County. The 51 new cases in Ada is the most the county has recorded since April 4, when 63 cases were reported.
Boise-based Central District Health recently held an online meeting with several area bar owners to talk about measures that could be taken to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The meeting was held after a handful of bar patrons unknowingly infected with COVID-19 visited several downtown bars on June 5 and 6. As of Thursday, health officials believe 69 positive coronavirus cases can be connected to the cluster.
A number of bars agreed to implement a number of rules, including asking patrons to wear face coverings and requiring staff to wear face coverings while working. The changes will be implemented as soon as possible.
New cases were reported Thursday in Bannock, Canyon, Payette, Twin Falls and Washington, among other counties.
Washington County is the latest Idaho county with reports of community spread, the 26th county in the state.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported 15 new “probable cases” in Idaho, bringing the total to 389.
As of Thursday, there are 3,357 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Idaho. Of those cases, state officials say that 3,088 cases are “presumed recovered.”
No new deaths were reported Thursday, and the state’s death count remains at 89.
As of Thursday, the majority of Idaho counties have reported at least one case of the coronavirus among residents: Ada 963, Adams 8, Bannock 72, Benewah 12, Bingham 26, Blaine 506, Bonner 11, Bonneville 59, Camas 1, Canyon 346, Caribou 6, Cassia 139, Custer 2, Elmore 36, Franklin 17, Fremont 3, Gem 13, Gooding 50, Idaho 3, Jefferson 8, Jerome 185, Kootenai 107, Latah 7, Lemhi 2, Lincoln 31, Madison 20, Minidoka 94, Nez Perce 75, Owyhee 10, Payette 28, Power 13, Teton 12, Twin Falls 419, Valley 3 and Washington 70.
Community spread has been detected in 26 of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada, Bannock, Benewah, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Teton, Twin Falls and Washington.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 11:11 AM.
