MELAKA: Melaka Zoo will not be welcoming visitors until Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) after a zookeeper tested positive for Covid-19.

       Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council president Datuk Shadan Othman said the zoo would be closed from Thursday (Feb 10) to Monday (Feb 14).

       “The zoo management have taken prompt measures although only one staff member tested positive so far.

       “Cleaning and disinfection works will be carried out accordingly,” he said on Thursday (Feb 10).

       Shadan said the move was also to protect the health and safety of visitors especially with the anticipation of a peak period during the upcoming school holidays.

       He said the zookeeper is currently under quarantine and that he was believed to have been infected after one of his family members tested positive earlier.

       "Disinfections will also be done at all animal enclosures, children's playgrounds and ticket counters," he added.

       Shadan also said the zoo recorded 32,800 visitors during the first three days of the Chinese New Year.

       He said the new night market - Ley Park Station at Ayer Keroh - is also gaining popularity with 3,000 visitors recorded per day during its operations on weekends since last month.