The Coronavirus is shutting down Nebraska’s number one tourist attraction.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is closed beginning Monday and lasting at least through the end of March, according to a statement from the zoo.
The decision comes in the wake of the state’s and Douglas County’s first “community spread” case of the virus.
According to zoo officials, they are not aware of any guests or employees with positive Coronavirus tests.
The closing is the latest in a series of economic gut punches to the metro area and depending on the overall length of the shutdown it is potentially the most significant.
The zoo, which brings in a reported two million visitors a year, has an annual economic impact of $267 million, an average of nearly $23 million a month.
Earlier the College World Series scheduled for Omaha in June was canceled; it has an annual economic impact of $70 million.
Canceling the NCAA’s round one and two March Madness basketball games at CHI Center cost the area another $5 million.
Canceling Berkshire Hathaway’s May shareholders meeting will set the metro back $23 million.