Children return to favourite outdoor activities

After three months of being cooped up at home, many children were thrilled to be out of the house on Monday and back to some of their favourite outdoor activities as more covid19 restrictions were lifted.

Beaches, rivers, restaurants and cinemas were allowed to reopen.

The Emperor Valley Zoo, which was also closed, received its first set of visitors since March.

“The zoo was our number one place to come back to,” said one mother who requested anonymity.

“We normally visit several times a year.”

She was there with her husband and two children who looked on in fascination as two iguanas scaled the wall of the crocodile enclosure. Her husband said, because the children enjoy reading and researching wildlife, it was the best place for them to come and learn.

While only a few families were there when Newsday visited, zoological officer Sharlene Khan said members of the public have been looking forward to the reopening.

“We expect visitors to be back. The public missed the animals.”

She said, during the lockdown they received several emails and phone calls asking when the zoo would be reopening.

“We are following all safety protocols.”

Visitors are being asked to observe physical distancing protocols, and hand washing stations have been placed at the entrance and throughout the zoo. Masks are to be worn at all times by visitors and staff, and guests are also required to wash their hands before feeding the animals.

Khan said it not only keeps guests safe but the animals as well.

“In other zoos, it was reported that certain species tested positive.”

Khan was referring to reports in April of seven big cats testing positive for covid19 at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. “So safety protocols are in place across the board and, so far, it’s been going well.”

She said staff remained dedicated to looking after the animals during the lockdown.

“Certain animals missed the attention as well,” she joked.

Khan said the lockdown was a challenge. With gates closed and no income to care for the 1,500 plus animals in their charge, the zoo depended on the kindness of the public, farmers and other organisations who donated fruits and other produce for the animals.

Beaches were also a big draw for children on Monday.

Williams Bay and Macqueripe Bay in Chaguaramas saw scores of people enjoying the waters which have been untouched for three months. Mother of five, Anya Frank, took her children out to Macqueripe. “The children were home all this time and they weren’t doing anything. It’s good they have something to do now.”

Frank said her children are excited about the reopening and are eager to get back to their favourite hobbies. “They want to go to Fort George, they want to play football, they want to go in the savannah and fly kites. I told them it is not Easter, but they said they don’t care because they missed it,” she said with a laugh. “They want to go all over.”

Frank said she is not really worried about the reopening. She said she worked throughout the pandemic as a supervisor at PriceSmart and she is aware of all the precautions. “Make sure and wash your hands and sanitise. I make sure they don’t touch everything. Just take the necessary precautions when you’re out there.”

Another mother, who wished to remain anonymous, was also at Macqueripe with her two children, including her eight-month-old daughter. She said the family was very excited to be back out in the water, especially because it was their daughter’s first trip to the beach. “Next is the bar,” she said with a laugh.