The newly renovated Manila Zoo on Wednesday formally opened to the public, including the unvaxxed visitors as it would also serve as additional coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination site of the city.
During the unveiling of the newest Covid-19 vaccination site, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso clarified that even those who have yet to get their Covid-19 vaccines may visit the zoo.
“Pwede ka pumunta kahit hindi ka magpabakuna. Gusto natin magbakuna na sila, opportunity to get vaccinated at the same time makapamasyal. As much as possible we would prefer na magpabakuna na kung hindi man makapamasyal man lang (You can come even if you’ll not get vaccinated. We want them to receive the vaccine, this is an opportunity to get vaccinated and visit the park. We prefer that they get vaccinated, but if not, at least they can enjoy the park),” he said.
He also assured that there will be no mass gathering inside the zoo as only up to 1,000 people will be allowed to enter per day to prevent violation of health protocols amid the high Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila.
Domagoso said the five-hectare zoo can accommodate up to 16,000 visitors per day before the pandemic.
Despite the limited capacity, he still encouraged families to visit and enjoy the newly refurbished zoo for free.
“Gusto ko nga dito pamipamilya para maiba naman yung environment. You can be 20, 5, 30, kung gaano kalaki ang pamilya mo pwede mo isama, libre, pero wala pang pagkain magbaon muna (I want families to come so they can have a different environment, no matter how big your family, you can bring them here, you can enter for free, but you just to bring) your own food and water,” he said.
In the meantime, Domagoso said visitors can enjoy only limited animals on display as the city government is still working on acquiring more animals for the zoo, known as the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden.
He said alligators, monkeys, birds, and deer are already on display while visitors can also enjoy seeing beautiful butterflies, kois, the botanical gardens as well as an aviary.
The zoo’s tiger may be placed in the park as soon as its safety cage is finished, he added.
Elephant Mali, the 48-year-old star of the zoo, has been transferred back to an area double the size of her previous enclosure in the old Manila Zoo.
As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, he said more than 6,300 people have already made their reservations through the Manila Zoo website: www.manilazoo.ph.
Aside from Manila Zoo, the city has three malls, six schools, and 45 health centers that serve as vaccinations sites administering primary and booster shots, while booster shots are also given at the Kartilya ng Katipunan monument drive-thru for motorcycle and bicycle riders, 24/7 drive-thru for four-wheel vehicles at the Quirino Grandstand, and the Bagong Ospital ng Maynila for public utility vehicle drivers.
As of Tuesday, the city has already administered a total of 3,156,055 doses of the Covid-19 vaccines, with 1,529,868 now fully vaccinated.
A total of 243,073 minors aged 12 to 17 have already been vaccinated while the administered booster shots are now at 284,457.
Manila Zoo is open to the public Monday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. but walk-in is currently not allowed.
Entrance to Manila Zoo remains free for both Manila and non-Manila residents.
Source: Philippines News Agency