Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) reminds the industry of the current protocols in place in relation to COVID-19.
These protocols apply to all race meetings and trials conducted in Victoria.
HRV stewards inform all participants and stakeholders that the following requirements must be adhered to at all Victorian race and trial meetings.
- Only licensed trainers, drivers and stablehands may attend a race meeting or trial and only where they have a horse engaged, a driving engagement or are assisting a trainer with a horse engaged in a race or trial meeting.
- Only essential raceday staff may attend a race meeting or trial
- A trainer must have only one stablehand present at a meeting or trial. The only exception will be where a trainer has three or more horses engaged in a race meeting or trial, in which case a maximum of two stablehands may attend in company with that trainer. Permission can be obtained by the stewards for an additional stablehand, however that is dependent on the number of horses engaged at that race or trial meeting.
- Prior to entering the stabling area all persons must present their HRV licence/identification for verification, complete an ‘Infectious Disease Declaration’ and be subject to a temperature test upon arrival and prior to entry being granted to a racecourse. All participants are encouraged to complete the ‘Infectious Disease Declaration prior to arrival at a race meeting or trial.
- Prior to entering a racecourse all persons who are eligible to enter must undergo a temperature check. Any persons displaying a confirmed temperature of 37.6 degrees Celsius or above will not be permitted entry to the racecourse. Such person will not be permitted to attend further race meetings, or present any horse to start in races, until a full medical clearance including a negative COVID-19 test is obtained and provided to the HRV Stewards (Effective 25 March 2020).
- Drivers are to limit the time spent within the drivers’ room and all enclosed areas as much as possible and are to exercise appropriate physical distancing protocols at all times (click here to view HRV COVID-19 procedures).
- Trainers and Drivers are to leave the race meeting as soon as possible upon fulfilling their obligations in accordance with the Australian Harness Racing Rules (after completion of swabbing procedures, attendance before stewards etc).
- Trainers and drivers are not to stand in groups along the racecourse fence lines to watch races or congregate in other areas of the race track and must engage in physical distancing protocols at all times (ensuring a distance of 1.5m between persons is maintained at all times).
- Trainers, drivers and stablehands are encouraged to regularly wash and disinfect their hands and engage in hygienic practices.
- All licensed persons who are attending a race meeting in an official capacity are not to attend bistros or other areas of the racecourse where the general public may be in attendance.
- No owners (unless a licensed trainer, driver or stablehand engaged in the race meeting) or the general public are allowed on course.
- Masks must be worn by all licensed persons and staff on course at all racetracks in Victoria (effective from 27/07/2020)
- All persons in the municipalities of Melton and Cranbourne will not be permitted to leave the track once they have completed their declaration and been temperature tested until their last engagement is complete for the purpose of obtaining food. Participants are advised that they should therefore pack enough supplies, including food for the duration of their engagement.
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:
238. 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. Your cooperation with these measures will assist us all to continue racing for as long as possible however any breach may place in jeopardy the future of racing in this state.
