MAD RUSH IN SOUTH

As students from all primary and secondary schools left their respective classrooms, a heavy downpour of rain put a damper on the upbeat mood of Soca madness in the city.

At the San Fernando Boys’ RC School, pupils scampered out the building.

While employees at most government offices also left early, business workers did not enjoy the same luck. With the exception of the courthouses which closed at 1 pm, banks and government offices operated as normal.

Persons visiting the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court for the afternoon session, were met with a sign which stated, “Please be advised cash would be closed at 11.45 am today and Court closes at 1 pm.”

President of the San Fernando Business Association Daphne Bartlett, said it was a normal working day. She said, “All businesses are supporting the Soca Warriors and are all wearing red to show our support.”

At the offices of the Ministry of Public Administration and Information, employees who could not have made it home on time, were allowed to look at the match on television. An officer in the Customs and Excise Division, told Newsday: “We are a very essential service it is business as normal, but we are fully supporting the Soca Warriors.”

The sudden exodus of people onto the street, saw a mad rush for taxis and maxis. Even into the second half of the game after Paraguay had scored, throngs of people were still crowded on taxi stands.