Participants are advised of the following updates as Harness Racing Victoria (HRV), clubs and the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association continue to respond to the developing COVID-19 pandemic.
This update follows on from HRV’s response on Monday. Further updates will be provided as they occur.
- As announced Monday 16 March, only licenced participants with a horse engaged and essential staff are to be permitted entry to Victorian harness racing meetings. All attendees must produce their HRV licence card or staff card as a condition of entry.
- From Thursday 19 March all participants attending harness racing meetings must sign a declaration form as a condition of entry (the form can be downloaded here and printed, but must be handed in signed at the gate); there will be forms available at the gate;
- Clubs will not be able to supply participants food at race meetings, however participants are welcome to bring their own food and other essential items;
- Drivers’ rooms will only be accessible to drivers, and drivers are asked to minimise time spent in these rooms;
- Public entry gates will be locked with security and staff checking entry to the float carpark. At some venues other entrances will also be closed, including the broadcast truck entrance adjacent to the stalls at Tabcorp Park Melton.
“While some of these measures will cause disruption the health and wellbeing of our participants must be the number one priority. If we can avoid COVID-19 spreading throughout our industry participants and staff, and we can keep racing and providing income opportunities for our people, these measures will have been worth the short-term pain,” HRV General Manager of Racing Steve Bell said.
Read today’s statement from the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association