Drusillas Park could be reopening soon – with new safety measures

Following news today (June 10) that zoos can reopen, the popular attraction in Alfriston said it was breathing a ‘huge sigh of relief’.

Due to lockdown measures sparked by the coronavirus pandemic, it has been closed since March 20 with no income.

Managing director Laurence Smith said this has been the toughest period he has faced in his 22 years there.

He said, “We are delighted that zoos have been given the green light, but we now want to know when we can open our play areas and rides because that’s an important part of the family day out at Drusillas.

“So, we are anxiously waiting on news and clarification from government on this.

“The other key factor is that we don’t want to rush our reopening and the staff training – which we think will take four or five days to properly communicate to everyone – because health and safety is absolutely paramount.”

Mr Smith said the park had originally planned to reopen on July 4 but, following the latest government news, it is doing everything it can to ‘accommodate this change and welcome the public back’.

He said, “Once we receive the official guidance from the government which doesn’t come out until Saturday (June 13), we will be in a better position to make a firm decision about our reopening date.

“Rest assured we are chomping at the bit to open and will do so as soon as humanly possible with safety at the top of the considerations.”

Drusillas Park will be reopening but things will be different to before.

The park says staff have been working hard for weeks on risk assessments and control measures so that their visitors can still enjoy a family day out in safe and secure environment.

Some of the key steps Drusillas says it has taken to ensure public safety include: reopening with a reduced capacity, enhanced cleaning regimes and a dedicated staff member on touch points, a one-way zoo route, hygiene screens at counter tops, queue management, floor signage to mark social distancing and the encouragement of contactless payments.

Drusillas plans to make all of its health and safety information available on its website as soon as it have officially confirmed its reopening date.