Further to my correspondence last week, I write to provide you with an update on the plans for Victorian racing over the next week in light of the State Government’s changes to COVID restrictions which take effect today.
In doing so, I again wish to thank you for your support of Victorian racing during what has been another challenging period for our State in this global pandemic.
Greater Melbourne – Race Meeting Attendance
With effect from today, the Government’s directions allow for a maximum of 150 people (with no more than 75 indoors) to attend race meetings within Greater Melbourne.
Due to the limited number permitted to attend and the logistics required to facilitate this, Racing Victoria and our upcoming host clubs have collectively determined that racing will be spectator free at racetracks within Greater Melbourne until increased crowd limits are approved.
As such, race meetings scheduled in the Greater Melbourne region over the next week at Flemington (19 June 2021), Sportsbet-Pakenham (22 June 2021) and Cranbourne (23 June 2021) will proceed with only competing participants, essential staff, limited media and officials in attendance.
Unfortunately, this means that all spectators, including owners, are unable to attend these race meetings.
We will continue to liaise with Government and health advisors in the hope of increasing attendance limits at meetings in Greater Melbourne from next weekend, with the return of owners being our initial priority.
Regional Victoria – Race Meeting Attendance
With effect from today, the Government’s directions allow for a maximum of 1,000 people (with no more than 300 per indoor space) to attend race meetings within Regional Victoria which is welcome news.
Please note though that some country clubs may not be able to initially achieve the full quota of 1,000 due to constraints around infrastructure, logistics and/or lead times.
Should you wish to attend an upcoming country race meeting please visit country.racing.com to determine opportunities for attendance and what requirements, including any pre-registration, are in place for the meeting.
Please note that the Victorian Government has declared three New South Wales Local Government Areas (LGAs) as ‘orange zones’ overnight following concerns around community transmission of COVID.
If you have visited the NSW LGAs of City of Sydney, Waverley or Woollahra on or since 11 June 2021 you are not permitted to attend a Victorian race meeting for at least one week following your arrival in Victoria and subject to provision of a negative COVID test.
Stable Visits
I am pleased to advise that owners are permitted to attend public and private training facilities and licensed racing premises across Victoria from today.
Attendance is subject to any provisions imposed by individual Clubs or training stables in managing their COVID safe plans.
Once again, for those owners who have visited the NSW LGAs of City of Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra on or since 11 June 2021, you are not permitted to attend public or private training facilities or stables until at least one week following your arrival in Victoria and subject to provision of a negative COVID test.
Face Masks
If you do attend a regional race meeting or visit a training facility, please ensure that you follow the updated Government guidelines for face masks which state the following with effect from today:
- masks must be carried at all times;
- masks must be worn indoors except if at home, or if an exemption applies; and
- masks must be worn outdoors where 1.5 metres physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Conclusion
As we have seen over the past year, the situation regarding the pandemic is a dynamic one and I trust that all owners understand the need for us to do everything in our power to ensure the safe continuation of racing and training.
As flagged, we will continue to liaise with the State Government over the next week and will provide a further update to owners when there are applicable changes.
Finally, I want to again thank all owners for their understanding and cooperation and wish you the best of luck on the racetrack.
Giles Thompson
Chief Executive
Racing Victoria