Effective from 11.59 pm January 17, 2021 Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) advises changes to the current biosecurity protocols at all Victorian race and trial meetings.
The following are to be observed:
- All Licensed persons must carry a face mask when entering a race or trial meeting and if requested to do so by a Steward, official or representative then wear the face mask indoors (including drivers’ rooms, stewards’ rooms and veterinary room), unless you have a government permitted exemption (i.e. medical condition).
- Masks are no longer required to be worn around the stabling areas at all racetracks and trial venues.
- Wear a mask when you are unable to maintain physical distancing of 1.5m between yourself and others.
- QR Code has been implemented for use at all racetracks and trial venues, and all licensed participants and essential staff are encouraged to use the QR Form, which 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 18 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.
Owners and spectators are reminded of the current protocols in place specifically around stalls attendance on race day. Details here (refer to 12.3, page 17).
Please note, effective from 1 February, HRV will be phasing out the paper based Infectious Disease Declaration forms. This means that licensed participants and essential staff will be required to complete the declaration online, prior to the attending race/trial meeting. The Infectious disease declaration can be accessed here. If you are already at the venue, there will be QR codes that you will be able to scan on your mobile device, which will prompt you to the location of the online declaration for completion.
Should you have any questions regarding the completion of the online declaration forms, please feel free to contact the HRV Customer Service Team, or Country Clubs directly.
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.