COVID-19 Coronavirus Information

Welcome to the Racing Victoria (RV) COVID-19 Information page.

This page seeks to provide quick access to RV’s Media Releases, Industry Notices and key information. This page also provides links to other important sources of information, including to coronavirus information on the Victorian Government’s website and the website of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

The information provided by RV on its website is a guide only. Whilst RV will do its best to review and update any information as and when required to address updates from Government, you should make sure that you monitor and review the current advice and requirements of the Australian and Victorian Governments (and other States as applicable) to ensure that you are acting on the most up to date information. In the event of any inconsistency between any information on this website and any relevant State or Federal Government requirements, you must strictly comply with the latter.

Any information provided by RV does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on as such. You should always consider whether any material provided by RV is suitable to your circumstances and obtain any professional and/or medical advice you consider necessary.

Whilst RV endeavours to provide up-to-date and accurate information, RV does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material on its website or any linked site. RV accepts no legal liability arising from or connected to any material on this website or on any linked site.

If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 you must get tested immediately and isolate until you have received a negative result.

If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, you are required to:

Notify your employer;
Immediately isolate for 7 days;
Notify your household or household-like contacts as well as your ‘social and workplace contacts’ (see further, here); and
If your positive result was via a RAT, report your positive result to the Victorian Government on the following link: COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form · Starter Portal (powerappsportals.com)

COVID Vaccination Status

Racing Victoria’s (RV) COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (Vaccination Policy) is to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that we provide a safe and healthy work environment for those working at our workplaces in the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry.

The Vaccination Policy applies to all RV staff, as well as those entering our premises including Licensed, Registered & Permitted Persons.

Please note that vaccination is a mandatory requirement for Specified Workers and others under the Victorian Government’s Public Health Directions. Please see further, here.

You should also familiarise yourself with any Rules of Racing – copy available here - applicable to vaccination. LR 64D of the Rules of Racing provides that you cannot enter any Designated Racing Participant Area (for example, the tie up stalls, parade ring, mounting yard, jockey rooms, Stewards’ room and the racetrack) on raceday unless you are vaccinated – please refer to the Rules of Racing for complete details.

In addition to the above, race clubs have imposed vaccination racecourse condition of entry requirements. Racing industry participants (as well as all others entering raceday) will be asked to confirm their vaccination status upon entry to raceday, as well as to check in to the venue using the QR code. Please ensure that you have linked your vaccination status to your Service Victoria app, or otherwise have your vaccination status available to show upon entry. For information as to what is acceptable evidence, please see here. For further information about how to link your COVID-19 digital certificate to the App, see here.

RV will ensure the request for health information and its collection complies with Privacy Laws and our Privacy Policy which is available on our website at racingvictoria.net.au/privacy-policy.

COVID-19 Protocols & Industry notices

RV is also communicating directly with key stakeholder groups in Owners, Trainers, Jockeys and Stable Employees on the latest developments and the expectations and requirements of each group.

All industry participants (including service providers) are required to comply with the RV COVID-19 Base Protocols and Protocols for Industry Participants & Service Providers (see links directly below). In addition, you may be required to comply with additional protocols specific to your role in the industry – please refer to the relevant drop down menus below for details of any other protocols applicable to you:

RV COVID-19 Base Protocols for all Industry Participants & Service Providers 22 January 2021 (Revised 2 May 2022)

What am required to do if one of my employees tests positive to COVID-19?

As an employer you have an obligation to the industry and your staff to ensure that you act swiftly and appropriately if you or a staff member tests positive to COVID-19.

Refer to the link Case in the workplace | Coronavirus Victoria. This outlines step-by-step the actions you need to take.

What is COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus. It was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City in China.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. Symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue, chills or sweats, runny nose, loss or change in sense of small or taste and shortness of breath. The virus can spread from person to person, but good hygiene and social distancing can prevent infection.

How can I help prevent the spread of coronavirus?

Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene and keeping your distance from others is the best defence against most viruses. You should:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, including before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.
Cover your cough and sneeze (for example, by coughing or sneezing into your elbow), dispose of tissues, and wash your hands.
If unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people), get tested and self-isolate at home until the outcome of your test is known.
Exercise personal responsibility for social distancing measures.

What is social distancing?

Social distancing is one way to help slow the spread of viruses such as COVID-19. Social distancing includes staying at home when you are unwell, avoiding large public gatherings if they’re not essential, keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people and minimising physical contact especially with people at higher risk of developing serious symptoms, such as older people and people with existing health conditions.

What do I do if I develop symptoms?

You must seek RAT or PCR testing immediately and isolate at home until you have received a negative result. You must also notify your employer.

What are the key health contacts?

For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au or to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Call the National Coronavirus Help Line on 1800 675 398. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.

Where do I go for information on Government support?

Following are some of the key online information sources from the Australian and Victoria Governments for businesses and individuals seeking up-to-date information and support during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic:

For the latest COVID-19 coronavirus news and information from the Australian Government visit: https://www.australia.gov.au/ and from the Victorian Government visit: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria | Coronavirus Victoria
For information on the Australian Government’s Economic Response to COVID-19 coronavirus including the JobKeeper Payment scheme visit: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus
For information from Services Australia including Centrelink and the JobSeeker program visit: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
For information about Australian Tax Office’s measures and tailored support for businesses, employers and individuals visit: https://www.ato.gov.au/General/COVID-19/
For advice, updates and support to help businesses plan and respond to the COVID-19 coronavirus: https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/illness-and-business-management-plan/coronavirus-business-support

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