If you're looking for something to do this weekend beyond sitting in a park, you're in luck: After the Quebec government announced the reopening of zoos, agrotourism and gardens on June 19, two zoos near Montreal—Parc Safari in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle and Parc Oméga in Montebello—released that they would be opening this weekend following that date.
The move comes at a time when the province is continuing to ramp up its emphasis on local tourism by giving increased access to areas that were previously shut down with no dates as to when they would be available again. Precautions need to be put in place that will change the format visitors may be used to, such as restricting visitors to their cars and select hiking trails to explore the parks.
For Parc Safari—a 45-minute drive from Montreal—it plans to open on June 20 with a tweaked format than most would be used to. The biggest difference comes from how people will not be able to feed the animals, and that the number of people permitted to enter each day will be limited, so the sale of tickets beforehand is encouraged. Beyond this, sanitation measures like handwashing stations, plexiglass between customers and employees, and keeping all of the park's documentation like maps and guides will only be distributed digitally.
As for Parc Oméga? The Quebec wildlife park located an hour and a half's drive away from the city will also be opening on June 20. Even if animals will come up to cars to be fed—as they're accustomed to doing—visitors will not be able to feed the animals, but touching is highly discouraged. Tickets will need to be purchased online, the use of masks is encouraged, and while going for a picnic with takeout0only food will be possible, tables and other common areas like it will be spaced out.
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