Visakhapatnam, Nov 16 (IANS): Andhra Pradesh government has granted permission to the Visakhapatnam Zoo to reopen for public, following the Centre's directives and standard operating procedures amid the Covid pandemic.

"The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam will reopen for public from Tuesday onwards as per the instructions issued by the principal chief conservator of forests," said Nandani Salaria, curator of Visakhapatnam Zoo.

All visitors are mandated to wear a mask and maintain social distancing norms.

"Thermal scanning of visitors and presence of masks will be checked for at the gate and accordingly entry will be given," she said.

Salaria encouraged visitors to book tickets online so as to avoid contact at the counters.

Likewise, outside food, plastic material and crackers are not allowed into the zoo.

"If anyone is found disobeying the rules of the zoo and Covid social distancing norms, fine will be imposed," she added.