Ross Park Zoo Responds to Rising COVID, Updates Mask Policy

Effective immediately, anyone over the age of two planning to visit Binghamton's Ross Park Zoo will be required to wear a facial covering in certain areas of the zoo, regardless of vaccination status.

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In a press release sent the morning of Saturday, August 7, Phillip Ginter, Executive Director of the Ross Park Zoo stated that effective Saturday, August 7, 2021, masks will be required to be worn inside all buildings at the Ross Park Zoo by all persons over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status.

The press release states that Ross Park Zoo is aware that The Centers for Disease Control has indicated that Broome County is now in a "substantial" zone when it comes to the spread of COVID-19 and the zoo made the mask mandate inside all of its buildings out of caution not only for its staff and visitors, but also its animals.

Those visitors of the Ross Park Zoo who are aged two and older will be required t wear a mask inside the gift shop, Wolf Woods, African Waters, New World Tropics, and restrooms. Additionally, the zoo will offer an alternative exit for those not comfortable exiting the zoo by going through the gift shop. Masks will be available for purchase for anyone who forgets theirs.

On Friday, August 6, 2020, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar announced that the County has entered the CDC's "substantial spread" category and therefore, effective Monday, August 9, masks will be required to be worn inside all County buildings regardless of vaccination status.

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