Harness racing will resume in Victoria tomorrow night with the scheduled Shepparton meeting.
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) will not reschedule today’s cancelled Maryborough meeting and participants who had horses engaged will receive compensation.
HRV cancelled the Maryborough meeting immediately after being made aware of a potential participant COVID-19 close contact shortly before the first race.
HRV CEO Dayle Brown explained there was only one option.
“We acted immediately. There is only one choice when you cannot be certain of the circumstances surrounding this virus – people’s health and wellbeing is top priority and will remain so,” Brown said.
“We communicated to participants immediately and commenced enquiries. I am comfortable with the great work of our team conducting these enquiries and the processes that guide them.”
After enquiring into the circumstances surrounding the participant who is a potential close contact, four people were identified as having had some incidental contact with this participant in recent days. The four individuals will not attend race meetings or interact with industry participants until the test result from the potential close contact is known. The potential close contact and the four individuals did not attend Maryborough today.
HRV takes this opportunity to remind all participants and staff that if they or their family members have any symptoms or are feeling unwell, getting tested and isolating are the only courses of action.
HRV is comfortable after making enquiries that no other participant or staff member is at an increased risk of contracting the virus.
“Our protocols, which have guided us through this virus to this point, remain in place and must be adhered to all times. I cannot stress this enough. Our stewards are ensuring compliance and I thank the industry for the way they have looked after each other in recent months,” Brown said.
Some of the protocols that have been in place at Victorian harness racing tracks in recent months include observing physical distancing measures at all times, restricting attendance to required licenced people only and essential staff, declaration forms upon entry, temperature testing and mandatory wearing of masks or a face cover at all times.
The protocols can be viewed here.
Media enquiries: cwinnell@hrv.org.au