Zoos have reopened in England for the first time in three months after the government introduced the next phase of lockdown-easing measures.

They were among the "non-essential" businesses allowed to open their doors to the public having been shut since the UK-wide lockdown was introduced in March.

The pandemic has caused significant economic damage to the sector, with animals continuing to require expensive care while zoos have been denied income from visitors.

At Whipsnade Zoo, near London, the return of the general public was a welcome sight as they flung open their doors.

"It is a terrific time," said Dominic Jerney, director general of the Zoological Society London. "We saw lots of really good weather during lockdown and thought mournfully about how great that would be for the zoo visitors. 

"We understand entirely the purpose of the lockdown. But goodness me, to be easing it now on a beautiful day like today is fabulous."

With many children still not back at school, many parents will be hoping the zoo will provide a cure for lockdown boredom - but the experience is a little different with restrictions in place.

Measures such as one-way systems, social distancing markers and hand sanitizer have been enforced, while staff have been told to wear PPE equipment at all times.

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"Safety is paramount for our staff, our visitors and our animals," added Whipsnade Zoo's chief operating officer, Owen Craft. "Now things will be very different on site to begin with. Whilst we're a 600 acre site here there will be some quite strict restrictions in place." 

But for parents, the measures are a small price to pay for a slice of normality, while zoos are leading the way in showing how businesses can continue to operate during a pandemic.