Following Government announcements today, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) stewards have prepared this industry notice as a timely reminder for all licensed persons and officials of the current protocols that will be existence from 11.59pm on 12 February 2021 at all race meetings and trials.
HRV stewards inform all industry participants and stakeholders that the following requirements must be adhered to at all Victorian race meetings and trials:
- No owners (unless a licensed trainer, driver or stablehand engaged in the race meeting) or the general public are allowed on course;
- Masks must now be worn by all licensed persons and essential staff at all race meetings and trial meetings including outdoors;
- Only licensed trainers, drivers and stablehands may attend a race meeting or trial and only where they have a horse engaged, a driving engagement or are assisting a trainer with a horse engaged in a race meeting or trial.
- Only essential raceday staff may attend a race meeting or trial.
- A trainer must have only one 1 (one) stablehand present at a meeting or trial. The only exception will be where a trainer has 3 (three) or more horses engaged in a race meeting or trial in which case a maximum number of only 2 (two) stablehands may attend in company with that trainer. Permission can be been obtained by the stewards for an additional stablehand, however that is dependent on the number of horses engaged at that race meeting;
- Prior to entering the stabling area all persons must present their HRV licence/identification for verification and be subject to a temperature test prior to entry being granted to a racecourse. All participants will be required to complete the ‘Infectious Disease Declaration using the QR Code prior to entering the venue;
- Prior to entering a racecourse all persons must undergo a temperature check. Any person displaying a confirmed temperature of 37.6 degrees Celsius or above will not be permitted entry to the racecourse. Such person will not be permitted to attend further race meetings, or present any horse to start in races, until a full medical clearance including a negative COVID-19 test is obtained and provided to the HRV stewards;
- Entry to the venue will only be permitted upon successful completion of the form and permissible range temperature testing result;
- Drivers are to limit the time spent within the Drivers Room and all enclosed areas as much as possible and are to exercise appropriate social distancing protocols;
- Trainers and Drivers are to leave the race meeting as soon as possible upon fulfilling their obligations in accordance with the Australian Harness Racing Rules (after completion of swabbing procedures, attendance before Stewards etc.);
- Trainers and drivers are not to stand in groups along the racecourse fence lines to watch races or congregate in other areas of the race track and must engage in social distancing protocols at all times (ensuring a distance of 1.5m between persons is maintained at all times);
- Trainers, drivers and Stablehands are encouraged to regularly wash and disinfect their hands and engage in hygienic practices at all times.
All persons are advised that should they fail to comply with these requirements significant penalties, including periods of disqualification, may be imposed under Australian Harness Racing Rules 238.
AHRR 238 states:
238. A person shall not fail to comply with any order, direction or requirement of the Controlling Body or the Stewards relating to harness racing or to the harness racing industry.
These measures have been put in place to ensure that harness racing complies with all bio-security requirements and must be adhered to ensure that Harness Racing in Victoria continues under the current State Government restrictions. Your cooperation with these measures will assist us all to continue racing for as long as possible however any breach may place in jeopardy the future of racing in this state.
