Although there has not been any perceptible drop in footfall at the Alipore Zoological Gardens here due to concerns about novel coronavirus, precautionary measures are being taken at the zoo to prevent transmission of the disease, a senior official said.
An estimated 90,000 people visited the zoo in February while several thousand visitors came on Sunday, Director Asis Kumar Samanta said on Monday.
When asked if there has been a decline in the number of visitors to the zoo, one of the prime attractions in the city, Samanta said, "We have not seen any dip."
On the preventive measures being taken at the zoo, Samanta told PTI, "We are regularly spreading anti-viral disinfectants inside and outside animal enclosures since past one month, while our staff manning the ticket counters and checking points are being given sanitisers and masks as they come in direct contact with people."
He said, if anyone is found to be coughing and sneezing or showing serious flu-like symptoms, he is being questioned about his medical history.
But there has only been one or two such queries on a day and none was found to be serious enough to be isolated, Samanta said.
"We are alive to the situation and will do whatever is needed and recommended as per guidelines in the coming days," Samanta said.
The Central Zoo Authority on Friday had directed all zoos in the country to screen visitors for COVID-19 and maintain sanitation measures at entry and exit gates.
In a health advisory for zoos, the CZA had also asked the staff to use masks, especially while dealing with the public, and to wash their hands regularly.
Social distancing must be maintained at ticket windows and entry gates, it said.
"Zoological parks in the country witness a high number of visitors and in this regard, it is requested that precautionary measures must be taken to prevent further transmission of the novel coronavirus disease," the advisory read.
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