Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) advises of changes to the biosecurity protocols in place at Victorian harness racing tracks.
These protocols have been developed in accordance with government directives, guidelines, and advice that have served to protect the health and wellbeing of industry staff, participants, and the wider community.
New South Wales Travel Restrictions
The Victorian Government has announced that effective 11.59pm December 20 (last night), the Greater Sydney area and the Central Coast of New South Wales will be designated as a ‘red zone’.
This means people who live in these communities, or have visited these communities since 11 December 2020, cannot enter Victoria. Anyone from this zone found trying to enter Victoria in breach of this order will be subject to 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.
Victorians who have recently visited or are currently in Greater Sydney and the Central Coast, other than those in the Northern Beaches area, will be given until 11.59pm on Monday 21 December to return home.
Those returning must register for an exemption on the Service Victoria website and then get tested within 24 hours of returning to Victoria. They must then self-quarantine for 14 days at home.
The Victorian Government has also announced that the Northern Beaches area of NSW will be elevated to a ‘hot zone’. Victorians in the Northern Beaches area remain subject to the NSW Chief Health Officer’s stay-at-home orders and will not be permitted to enter Victoria until otherwise advised.
Any licensed participants who are required to undergo 14 days’ quarantine will need clearance from the HRV Integrity Department (integrity@hrv.org.au) before being permitted to attend any harness racing venue or licensed premises at the conclusion of their quarantine period.
Any licenced participants who spent time in Greater Sydney or the Central Coast on or from 11 December 2020 and have already returned to Victoria are directed to contact HRV Integrity Department (integrity@hrv.org.au) immediately and to self-isolate as they will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test before being permitted entry to a Victorian harness racing track or licensed premises.
HRV also advises that any licensed participants or owners who have spent time on the Northern Beaches on or from 11 December 2020 are not permitted to attend any Victorian harness racing track or licensed premises until they have completed 14 days self-isolation upon arrival in Victoria. Licensed participants will also need to obtain permission from the stewards before attending any Victorian harness racing venue or licensed premises.
The remainder of regional NSW remains a ‘green zone’, but residents in these areas will still need to apply for and receive a valid permit to enter Victoria. Permit applications can be made via the Service Victoria website. Those living in Local Government Areas (LGAs) along the Vic/NSW border will not need a permit but will instead be able to use photo identification that shows their address, such as their driver’s licence as a passport to travel between Victoria and NSW.
The NSW LGAs are: Albury City, Balranald, Bega Valley, Berrigan, Broken Hill, Edward River, Federation, Greater Hume, Hay, Lockhart, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Wagga Wagga, and Wentworth.
Owner Attendance at Harness Racing Tracks & Licensed Premises
In addition to all Government orders, effective immediately, any owners who spent time in Greater Sydney, the Central Coast or Northern Beaches of NSW on and from 11 December 2020 are not permitted to enter a Victorian harness racing track or licensed premises until otherwise advised.
Horse Transportation from NSW to Victoria
As has been the case throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, transportation of horses from NSW (and other states and territories) to Victoria is allowed.
Conclusion
Please be advised that failure to comply with these requirements as outlined above may result in significant penalties, including periods of disqualification, imposed under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 238.
AHRR 238 states: 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.
All licensed participants and owners in Victoria are asked to follow the 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.
HRV will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation daily.
