Racing Victoria (RV) has issued the following update regarding Victorian thoroughbred racing in light of today’s announcement by the State Government that Victoria will enter a five-day circuit breaker lockdown from 11.59pm (AET) this evening (Thursday, 15 July 2021) until 11.59pm (AET) on Tuesday, 20 July 2021.
Effective from 11.59pm (AET) this evening and until otherwise advised the following will be implemented:
- Race meetings will continue during the five-day period with only competing participants, essential persons and officials permitted to attend;
- All spectators (including owners, members and the general public), non-broadcast media and non-essential staff are prohibited from attending Victorian race meetings;
- All owners, media and non-essential persons are prohibited from attending Victorian public and private training facilities and licensed racing premises at any time; and
- Face masks are compulsory at all Victorian race meetings, training centres and licensed premises, at all times. Riders are permitted to remove their mask only when on horseback and when they have exited the mounting yard on raceday.
RV Chief Executive, Giles Thompson said, “We note the announcements by the Victorian Government today regarding the move to circuit breaker restrictions for the next five days to contain the latest COVID threat.
“Throughout the pandemic Victorian racing’s clear objectives have been to protect the health and wellbeing of industry staff, participants and the wider community; maintain 25,000 full-time equivalent jobs across the state; and ensure essential daily care and exercise can be afforded to our horses.
“Racing and training can continue in Victoria at this time under the strict biosecurity protocols that saw our sport safely continue throughout previous periods of lockdown and restrictions.
“As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to take decisive action to ensure that we provide the safest environment possible for both those participating in Victorian racing, as well as the wider community.
“With immediate effect all spectators, including owners, are prohibited from attending race meetings in Victoria during the circuit breaker lockdown, with a return to essential staff and active participants only.
“I also want to remind everyone within the Victorian racing industry of the critical need to abide by all Government directives in the days ahead and to regularly monitor the Government’s website for updates to the exposure site locations. In particular, if any participants or essential staff have attended an exposure site or are displaying any COVID symptoms, they must get tested and contact us immediately.”
Clubs conducting race meetings over the next five days will be contacting spectators (including owners, members and the general public) that have pre-registered to attend to advise them that they are no longer permitted to do so.