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.
Face Masks
Acting with an abundance of caution, RV has determined that face masks will remain compulsory at all times – both outdoors and indoors – for all persons within the designated racing participant areas (‘racing bubble’) at all Victorian race meetings until 11:59pm (AEDT) on Saturday, 6 November 2021.
In accordance with current protocols, jockeys remain permitted to remove their face masks whilst on horseback. In addition, face masks may be removed by the trainer and jockey for photographs following trophy presentations provided that they remain socially distanced.
From Sunday, 7 November 2021, face masks will be compulsory within the racing operations areas on raceday (racing zone) at all Victorian Racecourses indoors only or where people cannot socially distance.
From 6pm (AEDT) on Friday, 29 October 2021, licensed, registered and permitted participants are recommended to wear a face mask outdoors at licensed premises and training centres where they cannot socially distance.
Face masks remain compulsory indoors at all times at all licensed premises and training centres until otherwise advised.
Stable Visits
Effective from 11:59pm (AEDT) on Saturday, 6 November 2021, owners and non-essential persons (including media) will be permitted to attend a licensed premises or training centre for stable visits, trackwork or jump-outs provided they are fully vaccinated.
Attendance by fully vaccinated owners and media following this deadline is subject to any orders imposed by individual Clubs regarding access to their facilities. Stable visits by fully vaccinated people from this date also requires the prior consent of the individual trainer.
When visiting a stable from Sunday, 7 November 2021, fully vaccinated persons must wear a face mask at all times when inside any barns or dwellings and when unable to socially distance outside.
Owners and all other non-essential persons are advised that if they, or any close contact, is unwell and/or displaying any symptoms of COVID-19; and/or have been for a COVID test and are awaiting a result; and/or are required to isolate after attending a COVID exposure site, they must not attend the stable.
Conclusion
RV continues to 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 communications 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.