Wuhan Zoo reopens to public for first time since outbreak

City recovering at a faster pace as more means of transport resume operation

After three months of lockdown, Pangniu and Chunqiao, two giant pandas at Wuhan Zoo, welcomed new visitors on Wednesday.

The zoo was closed on Jan 22, a day before Wuhan was put under lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. It reopened to the public at 8 am on Wednesday now that the epidemic is under control in the city, where 97 patients remained hospitalized on Tuesday.

Tu Yeqian, an employee at the zoo, said all visitors are required to present their "green code", an indication they are symptom-free, before entering the zoo.

Staff will also take visitors' temperatures at the front gate, and visitors are encouraged to keep a proper distance from each other, she said.

The zoo also launched online booking methods to avoid large gatherings of people at ticket booths, she said.