Question reference: S5W-29869
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 11 June 2020
-
Current status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 22 June 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the owners of (a) Edinburgh and (b) Five Sisters Zoo regarding the (i) impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the zoo’s operations and finances and (ii) requirements of the zoo ahead of reopening to the public.
Answer
Officials have been in close contact with senior staff at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland throughout the pandemic and have made direct contact with all Scottish zoos on several occasions. Data on the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown was gathered via a questionnaire issued to all Scottish zoos in April.
The requirements that zoos must meet in order to be able to re-open are clearly laid out in the Scottish Governments Sector Guidance for Tourism and Hospitality, which was published on the 18 June. This guidance covers comprehensively what the Scottish Government requires zoos, along with other tourism and hospitality businesses, to consider as part of their re-opening and operational strategies. There is also specific zoo industry guidance already in place, produced by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which sets out further operational considerations.