Add Fresno Chaffee Zoo among establishments closing to combat spreading of coronavirus

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo announced Saturday evening that it will be closing temporarily.

How long the popular zoo will remain closed is unclear.

But the zoo did state that all programs and events are canceled or will be postponed, and full refunds would be available.

The zoo stated in a news release that the city of Fresno asked that the zoo close for the time being.

The zoo’s shutdown came a few hours after Fresno County confirmed its second case of the novel coronavirus, which is a new strain that has not be previously identified in humans.

COVID-19, the specific name of this coronavirus that’s caused a worldwide pandemic, is zootonic, which means it could be transmittable between animals and humans.

But the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention stated that “there is no reason to think that any animals, including pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus.”

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo had a few popular events scheduled, including the “Roar and Pour Spring Beer Festival” on March 20.

Several concerts and events and other amusement parks around the world have shut down, too, in an effort to combat the spreading of the virus.

Among other notable establishments to close are Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Universal Studios.

Many school districts around the central San Joaquin Valley also have shut down for the time being.

This story was originally published March 14, 2020 at 11:57 PM.