Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to advise of changes to the biosecurity protocols in place in Victoria to allow for the safe continuation of racing and training during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The protocols serve to protect the health of industry staff, participants and the wider Victorian community; maintain 25,000 full-time equivalent jobs; and ensure daily care and exercise can be afforded to all thoroughbred racehorses.
The following changes relate to new orders issued by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer regarding COVID zones within other states and territories.
Industry Protocols
The industry’s protocols around interstate travel are enhanced to provide an important layer of security for Victorian racing. They can be viewed by clicking here.
Cross-Border Community Members
The Victorian Government has declared the New South Wales (NSW) Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the NSW-Victoria ‘cross-border community’ as orange zones with effect from 6.00am yesterday (Friday, 2 July 2021), whilst advising that the ‘border bubble’ remains in effect.
As a result, any Victorian licensed or registered participant who does not reside in the ‘border bubble’ and enters a NSW border community (being an orange zone) is not permitted to attend any racecourse or licensed premises in Victoria until they provide RV Stewards with a negative result from a COVID test taken on day six in Victoria and receive a clearance from them to attend.
Any Victorian licensed or registered participant who resides in a Victorian border community and enters a NSW border community (being an orange zone) is not permitted to attend a racecourse or licensed premises in Victoria outside the ‘border bubble’ until they provide RV Stewards with a negative result from a COVID test taken on day six in Victoria and receive a clearance from them to attend.
Any licensed or registered participant who resides in a NSW border community (being an orange zone) is not permitted to attend a racecourse or licensed premises in Victoria outside the ‘border bubble’ until they provide RV Stewards with a negative result from a COVID test taken on day six in Victoria and receive a clearance from them to attend.
Northern Territory
The Victorian Government has also declared the following areas in the Northern Territory as orange zones with effect from 11.59pm (AET) on Friday, 2 July 2021:
• Alice Springs
• Greater Darwin (including the LGAs of City of Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield)
Any licensed or registered participant who is in, or has visited, a NT orange zone since 11.59pm on 2 July 2021 is asked to contact RV immediately, either by calling the Stewards or emailing crisismanagement@racingvictoria.net.au.
Conclusion
RV is continuing to closely monitor the situation both interstate and within Victoria, and will make changes to the industry’s biosecurity protocols as required to ensure the safe continuation of racing and training in Victoria.
Where changes are made, further updates will be provided so please remain alert to further communication from RV and/or the Victorian Government.
All licensed participants and owners in Victoria are asked to follow all public health advice and to stay home and get tested if they, or anyone they live with, is unwell and displaying any COVID-19 symptoms.