Australian Zoos closed due to COVID-19
- Thread starter Simon Hampel
- Start date
Melbourne has had our lockdown extended two weeks, the good thing being numbers are not growing. So Zoos Vic and Moonlit are still shut till the end of the month. Regional zoos can open.
Both the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) and the Northern Territory are currently in lockdown.
The situation in New South Wales gets worse and there is no end in sight. All of New South Wales is in now in lockdown so all zoos should be shut at least till the end of the week.
Both the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) and the Northern Territory are currently in lockdown.
The situation in New South Wales gets worse and there is no end in sight. All of New South Wales is in now in lockdown so all zoos should be shut at least till the end of the week.
Yes, Taronga Western Plains Zoo is "closed until the 19th" - although given the current situation in Dubbo, it's unlikely that restrictions will be lifted any time soon.
Mogo Zoo take a more pragmatic approach and are "closed until further notice".
There should be no zoo or aquarium open to the public right now anywhere in NSW.
The only exception might be any wildlife parks which are basically parkland area with a few animals where people may be allowed to go for excercise - but I'm not aware of any specifically.
Some news for zoos in NSW - from Everything you will be allowed to do in NSW once 70pc fully vaccinated target is reached
So once we reach 70% of the population of NSW fully vaccinated - we will be able to start visiting zoos in NSW again - provided that we are fully vaccinated ourselves.
FYI - we are currently at 75% first dose vaccinated and just below 43% fully vaccinated.
"Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with the four square metre rule but must not have more than 5,000 people there."
So once we reach 70% of the population of NSW fully vaccinated - we will be able to start visiting zoos in NSW again - provided that we are fully vaccinated ourselves.
FYI - we are currently at 75% first dose vaccinated and just below 43% fully vaccinated.
Nice to have the vaccines
Lockdown in most of regional Victoria has been lifted, so most regional zoos will now be able to open. Eg. Ballarat Wildlife Park : Easing restrictions good timing for tourism ahead of holidays
Melbourne zoos will be able to open at 70% of adults double dosed with vaccine (est 26th Oct). Conditions include everyone 100% double-dose vaccinated (staff and visitors), indoor spaces closed, numbers limited to 25% of capacity. Capacity will be increased to 50% and indoor spaces opened once we reach 80% (est 5th Nov).
A quiet cheer goes up here.
A quiet cheer goes up here.
NSW Govt have released their roadmap for easing restrictions.
From 70% fully vaccinated (estimated 11th October):
Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 2 sqm.
There will be no differentiation between vaccinated vs unvaccinated people from 1st Dec.
From 70% fully vaccinated (estimated 11th October):
Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with 1 person per 4sqm, capped at 5000 people.
Only people 16+ who are fully vaccinated can attend these facilities (no restrictions apply to people under the age of 16).
From 1st December 2021:Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 2 sqm.
As of today, zoos in NSW can reopen to people who are fully vaccinated (children 15yo and under exempt)
However, not all zoos are opening immediately.
Here's what I've found so far for opening dates:
So from the above list - only people living in the regional areas can visit Mogo or Western Plains Zoo.
However, not all zoos are opening immediately.
Here's what I've found so far for opening dates:
- Australian Reptile Park Gosford - today 11th Oct
- Featherdale Wildlife Park - today 11th Oct
- Mogo Wildlife Park - today 11th Oct
- Symbio Wildlife Park - today 11th Oct
- SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium 14th Oct
- WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo 14th Oct
- Sydney Zoo 15th Oct
- Taronga Zoo Sydney 18th Oct
- Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo 18th Oct
So from the above list - only people living in the regional areas can visit Mogo or Western Plains Zoo.
As from Saturday 30th October, zoos will be able to operate at 50% capacity and indoor spaces will be open. Masks will only be required indoors. All travel limits will be lifted, meaning Melbourne people can travel to regional zoos.
On the other hand double-vaccination requirements remain. It looks as if Victorian zoos will be off limits to unvaccinated people till at least mid-2022.
More about reopening than closing, but:
First two incidents of anti-vaxxers trying to gain entry at Moonlit today. (the State has a rule that visitors have to be double-vaxxed) They were rude and abusive, as well as liars. They were also cowards, far more abusive to female staff and to young children behind them in the queue than they were to me.
Had to laugh as they told me that most people were opposed to vaccination and we would go broke, as we stood in the middle of an overflowing carpark.
First two incidents of anti-vaxxers trying to gain entry at Moonlit today. (the State has a rule that visitors have to be double-vaxxed) They were rude and abusive, as well as liars. They were also cowards, far more abusive to female staff and to young children behind them in the queue than they were to me.
Had to laugh as they told me that most people were opposed to vaccination and we would go broke, as we stood in the middle of an overflowing carpark.