No change to Industry Biosecurity Protocols

Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to provide the following update on the industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in light of changes to the social restrictions in place for the state of Victoria from midnight this evening.

RV and representatives from industry stakeholder groups met this afternoon to discuss the industry’s strict biosecurity protocols which have allowed for the safe continuation of racing and training throughout the pandemic.

Acting with an abundance of caution, it was determined that there will be no change to industry biosecurity protocols at this time.

The industry working group will continue to review the protocols on an ongoing basis, in particular taking into account experiences over the next three weeks as the Government’s first cautious steps in the easing of social restrictions take effect.

The group will also continue its planning around any potential changes to the protocols when social restrictions are eased further in Victoria at any point in the future.

RV Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said: “Our priority throughout this challenge has been to protect the health and wellbeing of industry staff, participants and the wider community; to support the 109,472 people that are employed or participate in our industry; and to ensure that all horses receive ongoing care and attention.

“The biosecurity protocols we have in place go over and above Government directives, guidelines and advice and they are what have allowed us to ensure the safe continuation of racing and training over the past two months. 

“The Government has stated that Victoria can expect more positive cases and outbreaks as it starts to ease restrictions. As a result, we must continue to do everything in our power to minimise the risks of an outbreak occurring in our industry. 

“Maintaining the current restrictions around race meetings, training centres and Licensed Premises gives us the best shot to continue racing for the benefit of all stakeholders without the need for any shutdown due to an outbreak.

“Everyone in our industry has done an outstanding job over the past two months to keep racing going and we’re imploring them to keep up that great work and not be complacent so we can continue to protect their livelihood.”