Happy Holidays! Phoenix ZooLights Will Continue Amid OnGoing Pandemic

A popular holiday tradition will continue this year despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Phoenix Zoo's ZooLights attraction began on November 4th for members and will open to the public on November 7th.

According to zoo officials, there are extra safety precautions in place due to the pandemic.

Linda Harwick with the Phoenix Zoo told Fox 10 Phoenix, "We have to take lots of safety precautions that we didn't in the past to make sure everyone stays safe."

Facial coverings will be required for all visitors and social distancing will be encouraged.

Hardwick stated, "The great and exciting thing we have done with ZooLights is we have gone from about 60 to 90 nights, allowing us to space out the days so people have almost a full three months to enjoy ZooLights."

The Zoo, according to Hardwick, expanded the trails to allow for social distancing and give families a walk-through or drive-through option.

"We will allow up to 500 cars per cruise night, which there are select, nearly 27 of our nearly 90 nights of zoo lights which are drive-thru only," said Hardwick.

According to Hardwick, the Zoo was hurt financially due to the pandemic. "We lost more than $6 million. We lost nearly half of our staff, so it has been stifling for what we have been doing here."

Zoo officials are asking visitors to book ahead.

Photo: Getty Images

Source: Fox 10 Phoenix