Crowds return to challenge Chancellor

SCORES, if not hundreds of people on any given day, have returned to the Queen’s Park Savannah and the nearby Lady Chancellor Hill, after the government’s recent ease of its covid19 restrictions.

Especially at dawn and dusk, walkers, joggers and cyclists, individually and in groups, can be seen, with and without masks. Vehicles line Brian Lara Drive – a branch road at the base of Lady Chancellor Hill – almost up to the legendary cricketer’s residence.

A woman named Kimberly, returning for her first exercise at the scenic location for the first time in about four months spoke with Newsday.

"I like Chancellor mostly because of the scenery," she said, specifying the panoramic view of the capital and the few glimpses she gets of animals at the Emperor Valley Zoo, just below.

"It’s a complete workout, too, but I’ve been coming here with my co-workers for years, because it’s probably one of the safer places to jog, outside of a gym."

Kimberly was without a mask and said she believed there was little logic in people wearing one while jogging.

As for the large number of people running alongside her, it was perhaps better than having none around.

"I actually prefer to have groups of people up and down the hill, because it can be secluded at times,” she said, "although these days, I don’t feel one ounce of risk, running Chancellor, either from covid or some random attacker.”

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), which is guided by the World Health Organisation, recently advised the public of situations in which wearing a mask is necessary.

It says it is not necessary to wear a mask while driving alone or with immediate family, riding a bicycle or motorcycle, or while walking the streets, without people nearby.

However, it does advise people to wear a mask while taking or waiting for public transport, lining up in stores, filling gas and visiting elderly relatives.

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh has advised joggers to wear a cloth mask but stop if they feel dizzy.

The dramatic increase in people exercising at the Savannah and on Lady Chancellor Hill, however, is believed to be to the result of the ongoing closure of private and public gyms and some parks.

The Prime Minister on Saturday tentatively announced June 22 for the reopening of gyms and resumption of sporting activities.

A resident of Chancellor Hill, who asked not to be named, said in recent days, he has seen more people challenging the hill than ever before.

"It gets extremely crowded," he said. "But it's good to see people exercising. You can tell that some of them have been longing to get out. My only issue is getting out and up and down at peak hours and many people park horribly."

"Otherwise," he said, "they pose no risk and threat. I let them be."