Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to advise of the following update about arrangements for Victorian racing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As announced yesterday, racing and training is continuing in Victoria under strict biosecurity protocols in accordance with all the current directives, guidelines and advice established by the Victorian Government on the advice of the Chief Health Officer.
In a meeting today, the RV Board further determined:
- effective from 6pm (AEST) on Thursday, 26 March, any of the following people who arrive in Victoria via interstate travel, regardless of the means of transport, will no longer be permitted access to race meetings, training centres or any other Licenced Premises for a period of at least 14 days;
- all licensed and registered participants including, but not limited to trainers, their staff and jockeys; and
- any essential staff (raceday officials, Club staff) or essential personnel (vets, farriers) permitted under the current protocols to attend race meetings and/or training centres within Victoria;
- any licensed or registered person, essential staff or essential personnel (being those currently approved for access to race meetings and training centres) that arrives in Victoria after 6pm (AEST) on Thursday, 26 March is required to self-isolate for 14 days and must not return to race meetings, training centres or any other Licensed Premises at the completion of the isolation period if they are feeling unwell or displaying any symptoms of COVID-19;
- the travel restrictions will apply from 6pm (AEST) on Thursday, 26 March irrespective of where the individual is licensed, registered and/or their primary state of residence;
- until such time as the broader travel restrictions take effect at 6pm (AEST) on Thursday, 26 March, the current restriction requiring jockeys competing in Victoria who have travelled to/from the state since 17 March 2020 via a commercial flight to complete 14 days self-isolation remains in place; and
- for the period between 17 March 2020 and 6pm (AEST) on Thursday, 26 March, only jockeys who have travelled to/from Victoria via private vehicle or charter flight will be excluded from the 14-day exclusion period.
At this time, the movement of horses to and from Victoria remains permitted with discussions continuing between RV, government and industry stakeholder groups around the appropriate protocols to govern this.
Racing Victoria (RV) Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said today’s announcement further enhanced the strict protocols in place for the continuation of Victorian racing.
“In announcing yesterday that racing and training would continue in Victoria under strict biosecurity protocols in accordance with all the current directives and guidelines established by the Victorian Government, we flagged that we would continually review the protocols we have enacted over the past fortnight,” Mr Thompson said.
“Having further considered our objective to ensure a framework for the safe continuation of racing in Victoria and the Government advice to cease non-essential domestic travel, we have determined to strengthen and extend our protocols around travel.
“All licensed and registered participants and essential staff or personnel who arrive in Victoria after 6pm this Thursday, 26 March will no longer be permitted to attend race meetings, training centres and Licensed Premises for a period of 14 days.
“We see this decision as another important step in maintaining a safe environment for the continuation of Victorian racing.”
To remain abreast of all RV announcements, industry notices and advice on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic please visit racingvictoria.com.au/covid19