Boris Johnson expected to announce that zoos and safari parks can reopen from next week

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will update the nation on the easing of the restrictions on Wednesday (June 10) as he tries to reopen the economy while minimising Covid-19’s rate of transmission.

The announcement comes after Chester Zoo and other institutions across the nation warned they may face permanent closure if they were not allowed to reopen.

The move will now pave the way for Blackpool Zoo and Chester Zoo to reopen alongside non-essential shops.

Chester Zoo thanked the public for their support in a statement on their website last night, which read: "A week ago we were in despair, not knowing when we would reopen, or if we could even survive much longer…Buy our voices have been heard!

"We have just received the news that we’ll be able to open safely from 15 June.

"Your support has been incredible. Every kind donation, every word of support, it really did make a huge difference.

"The fight isn’t over for us just yet.

"There’s no denying that we have suffered severe financial damage over the past three months and the road to recovery will be long and uncertain.

"But, your incredibly kind donations, animal adoptions and memberships have given us a vital lifeline.

"Over the next few days we’ll be letting you know when and how you’ll be able to book a ticket to visit. Please bear with us while we do this.

"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you."

The Prime Minister is also also expected to announce the easing of restrictions on outdoor attractions where people remain in their cars, such as safari parks and drive-in cinemas, because the risk of spreading the disease is lower outside.

Edward Perry, managing director of Knowsley Safari, said: “Reopening safaris and zoos on 15 June is very good news, but we feel it should have been sooner.

“Knowsley Safari has been ready for the past week to safely open to the public and we still can’t understand why it’s been OK for people to jump in their cars to go and get Big Macs, but not to come and see our big cats.

“After being shut for such a long period, every day really does count in terms of ticket sales and generating much-needed revenue to care for over 700 animals.

“At least we now have clarity about when we can open and very much look forward to welcoming the public back next week.”