NSW COVID-19 Cases – Update

In response to NSW positive COVID-19 cases that have been detected following the Northern Beaches COVID-19 cluster, Racing NSW has taken the following steps to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading into the NSW Racing Industry. These updated protocols are to be read in conjunction with previous notices.

Summary

• In compliance with the NSW Public Health Order, any person living in the Northern Beaches of NSW must not attend a NSW racecourse or licensed premises until further notice.

• Any person who has attended the venues listed below must not attend a NSW racecourse or licensed premises until they have complied with the requirements below.

• Maintaining of jockey/official zones on raceday.

• Jockeys rooms to ensure that only one person per 4 square metres and jockeys separated by region.

• Mandatory face masks to be worn by all licensed Essential Personnel, Media and Officials at race meetings and barrier trials conducted in the Greater Sydney Area, including the Central Coast (Gosford/Wyong) and Wollongong (Kembla Grange).

• Strong recommendation that participants wear face masks when at trackwork in the Greater Sydney Area, including the Central Coast (Gosford/Wyong) and Wollongong (Kembla Grange).

• Owners prohibited from attending trackwork and licensed premises (trainers stables).

Queensland closes border to

Greater Sydney

The Queensland Premier yesterday slammed

shut the state’s border to residents of Greater

Sydney effective from 1am this morning, casting

doubt on whether owners, trainers and agents

from the region will be able to attend next

month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling

Sale. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, on the

advice of the state’s chief health officer, reacted

to the worsening Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney’s

northern beaches in recent days by declaring it

a hot spot and closing the border. It is unclear

at this stage how long the border closure will be

in place and whether exemptions will be able

to be granted for racing industry participants

to be able to attend the Gold Coast sale. In

November, a contingent of Sydney agents was

granted a one-day exemption to be able to

undertake inspections for the Magic Millions

2YOs In Training Sale but they were required to

social distance at the complex. Importantly for

vendors and buyers intending on participating

in the sale, a significant number of on-farm

inspections have been undertaken throughout

the Hunter Valley, southern NSW, Victoria and

Queensland ahead of the seven-day auction

which starts on January 12.

Racing Victoria alters Covid protocols

Racing Victoria yesterday announced a number

of changes to the biosecurity protocols in place

to allow for the safe continuation of racing

and training during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Licensed participants, who are required to

undergo 14 days of quarantine having returned

from the Greater Sydney area and the Central

Coast of New South Wales, will need clearance

from the stewards before being permitted to

attend any racecourse or licensed premises

at the conclusion of their quarantine period.

Licensed participants who spent time in

Greater Sydney or the Central Coast on or from

December 11 who have already returned to

Victoria are directed to contact the stewards

immediately and to self-isolate as they will be

required to submit a negative Covid test before

being permitted entry to licensed premises.

Any owners who spent time in Greater Sydney,

the Central Coast or Northern Beaches of

NSW on and from December 11 are not

permitted to enter a Victorian racecourse or

licensed premises until otherwise advised. As

has been the case throughout the pandemic,

transportation of horses from NSW to Victoria

is allowed provided the horses are transported

by an approved float company. RV plan to

continue to monitor the situation in NSW

closely and make changes to biosecurity

protocols as required