Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has updated its COVID-19 protocols.
Participants and staff are encouraged to read the below, with changes to be implemented from 6pm tonight.
Further COVID-19 HRV information can be accessed here.
- Effective from 6pm today, the following are to be observed at all Victorian harness and trial venues; All Licensed persons, owners and officials must wear a properly fitted face mask at all times when indoors (including drivers’ rooms, stewards’ rooms and veterinary room and covered horse stalls e.g. Tabcorp Park Melton, Ballarat Shepparton etc), unless you have a government permitted exemption (i.e. medical condition). This change includes the Tabcorp Park Melton this Saturday night.
- QR Code has been implemented for use at all racetracks and trial venues, and all licensed participants and essential staff must use this code. This gives HRV immediate data should it be required for any contract tracing requirements. As of 1 December, 2020, Temperature testing has ceased at all racetracks and trial venues. Drivers are to limit the time spent in the drivers’ room and all enclosed and indoor areas as much as possible.
- All persons are reminded to exercise appropriate physical distancing protocols and to maintain 1.5-metre distancing wherever possible.
- Trainers, drivers and stablehands are to leave the race meeting as soon as possible upon fulfilling their obligations in accordance with the Australian Harness Racing Rules (i.e. after completion of swabbing procedures, attendance before stewards etc).
- Participants should pre-pack enough food and supplies for the duration of their engagement at race meetings.
- As of 16 December, 2020 there will no longer be restrictions in existence regarding the number of stable-hands permitted to attend race tracks with accompanied licensed trainers. Stewards and officials will continue to monitor this situation at racetracks.
- All other industry protocols remain in effect and any non-compliance may be subject to action by the HRV Stewards.
- All persons are advised that should they fail to comply with these requirements, significant penalties including periods of disqualification, may be imposed under 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.
