Chester Zoo has announced it will close for two days as temperatures soar in the UK next week. A rare red weather warning for extreme heat has been issued by the Met Office as the UK swelters in the heat.
The Cheshire zoo is located in Chester, which lies just on the edge of the area covered by the warning. Temperatures are forecast to hit 35C in the area on Monday (July 18) and Tuesday (July 19).
A statement released by the attraction on social media says the zoo will close on both days "for the safety of staff, visitors, animals and plants". Anyone who has bought tickets for Monday or Tuesday will have their booking automatically extended.
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The zoo said it hopes to be able to reopen on Wednesday (July 20), when temperatures are expected to drop back down to below 20C.
Chester Zoo said: "Due to the extreme heat forecast on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July, we will be closed for the safety of our staff, visitors, animals and plants. We plan to be back open as usual on Wednesday, but for now, our team of dedicated keepers will, of course, make sure all of the animals and plants are safely cared for."
The statement added: "We do apologise for any disruption to your plans but we really hope you understand. If you have pre-booked tickets on these dates, your ticket will automatically be extended until July 2023, just keep hold of your booking confirmation."
It comes after the UK Health Security Agency issued a heat health warning at level four, which is described as a “national emergency”. On Saturday afternoon, ministers held a virtual emergency Cobra meeting after meteorologists warned the record high temperatures could put lives at risk.
Additional contingency support for ambulance services, such as more call handlers and extra working hours, have been put in place on Monday and Tuesday. Transport services are expected to be disrupted on both days, with Cabinet Office Minister Kit Malthouse urging people not to travel.
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