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Update coronavirus (COVID-19)

March 13, 2020

Update – Friday, March 13, 2020

On March, 13, 2020 by order of Santa Clara County Public Health, all events and public gatherings of 100 people shall be cancelled or closed to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19.) With this directive, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo will be temporarily closed to the public, effective immediately.

In addition, Zoo Education classes and programs are cancelled until further notice. For refunds, please contact [email protected] 

We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Operations staff, including the animal care team, will continue to provide vital care to the Zoo’s animals and infrastructure. The animals at Happy Hollow are healthy and doing well, and we continue to provide them with excellent dedicated, professional care.

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Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is open during normal hours of operation and taking proactive steps to promote wellness. The health and safety of our guests and staff is our top priority, and like all City of San José owned and operated facilities, we will remain vigilant and continue following guidance from Santa Clara County Health Department.Operational status may change based on how the situation progresses. 

On March 9, the County Health Department issued an order prohibiting public or private mass gatherings through Tuesday, March 31, 2020. A “mass gathering” is any event or convening that brings together one thousand (1,000) or more people in a single room or single space at the same time. It does not include environments where large numbers of people are present, but where it is unusual for them to be within arm’s length of one another. 

To meet or exceed the recent County guidance, Happy Hollow has reduced attendance to 900 people or less inside the Park & Zoo. Signage will be posted in the Guest Parking lot at 748 Story Road to indicate if we have reached capacity.

 

Steps we are taking

  • Increased disinfecting of high touch areas and surfaces, including rides
  • Additional sanitation of restrooms and food areas  
  • Posted signage about ways to stay healthy and hand wash station locations
  • Hand sanitizer available in high traffic areas
  • Reducing entry capacity to less than 900 people
  • Allowing cancellations and rescheduling (up to 48-hours notice) for groups, celebrations and classes at no additional fee

Our animals 

The animals at Happy Hollow are healthy and doing well, and we continue to provide them with excellent dedicated and professional care. Happy Hollow plans ahead for the animals in our care by ensuring that we always have a surplus of essential food and medical supplies in the event of any emergency. As always, we prepare contingencies and proactively monitor our supplies to ensure essentials remain on hand. 

We continue to monitor and remain in constant contact with state, national and international veterinary networks, including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for any updates.

 

Thank you for your continued support of Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. 

Tips to reduce your risk and those around you 

  • If you are sick, stay home and limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. 

  • Higher risk individuals (those over the age 50 and/or those with underlying medical issues) should take extra precautions  to maintain social distancing and should follow advice from their health care providers.  

  • Wash your hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds.  

  • Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough with a tissue or flexed elbow.

  • After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of germs.

  • Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

  • If prescribed antiviral medication, please complete the entire treatment regimen.

  • Carry and use sanitary wipes as needed. 

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