Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to advise of changes to Government requirements and the biosecurity protocols in place in Victoria to allow for the safe continuation of racing and training during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RV’s protocols, which were developed in accordance with all current Government directives, guidelines and advice, have served to protect the health of industry staff, participants and the wider community; maintain 25,000 full-time equivalent jobs; and ensure daily care and exercise can be afforded to all thoroughbred racehorses.
The protocols are continually reviewed by RV based on Government directives, risk analysis, industry compliance, participant feedback and the broader community landscape.
Victorian Permit System
The Victorian Government has announced a new permit system for all domestic travel into the state which went live at 5.59pm on Monday, 11 January 2021.
The permit system is based on a traffic light system that allows Victoria to designate regions in other parts of Australia as green, orange or red, depending on the coronavirus (COVID-19) risk in a particular area.
Under the new system, a permit is required to enter Victoria from anywhere in Australia, except border communities in NSW where locals will require proof of their home address.
The type of permit will depend on where a person has been, with applicants required to provide details on where they are coming from and where they are traveling to.
A red zone means if a person has visited this area in the past 14 days that person will not be allowed to enter Victoria without an exception or exemption from the Victorian Government.
An orange zone means that a person will be able to apply for a permit from the Victorian Government and will need to take a coronavirus test within 72 hours after arriving in Victoria, isolating both before and after the test, until the person receives a negative result.
A green zone means that a person will be able to apply for a permit from the Victorian Government and enter Victoria, and will need to monitor for symptoms and if that persons feels unwell with COVID symptoms, get tested.
In addition to the Victorian Government’s requirements, RV has implemented additional protocols which will require an industry participant to remain away from Victorian thoroughbred racecourses and licensed premises for a period of 14 days from the date the individual (or a close contact of the individual) was in a red or orange zone, and to provide the RV Stewards evidence of one or more negative COVID-19 tests before the individual’s return to the racecourse or licensed premises.
Industry participants attending the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions races or sales (12 January– 18 January 2021)
The Gold Coast is currently classified as a green zone, which means industry participants who plan to return to Victoria from the Magic Millions will be permitted to enter Victoria provided they have obtained a permit. Industry participants will need to monitor for symptoms and if they display COVID symptoms, get tested.
An industry participant returning from the Gold Coast will be able to access Victorian thoroughbred racecourses and licensed premises upon their return to Victoria, provided however the industry participant must not have visited or travelled through an orange or red zone (for example, the Greater Brisbane Area – comprising Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands) nor had close contact with someone who has done so in the prior 14 days.
This advice may change so for more information and latest updates please visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-travel-permit-system
Transiting through Brisbane Airport
Participants who fly or have flown into or out of Brisbane Airport do not need to quarantine in Victoria provided they travel to or from the airport in a private vehicle through the Greater Brisbane Area without stopping, and not with any person who has been in the Greater Brisbane Area for the last 14 days.
They must wear a mask while transiting through the Greater Brisbane Area and cannot use an airport shuttle service with other arrivals.
An industry participant that has transited through Brisbane Airport will be able to access Victorian thoroughbred racecourses and licensed premises upon their return to Victoria, provided they meet the description above.
For further information please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/restrictions-impacted-areas
Victorian Racecourses and Licensed Premises Access
Greater Brisbane and Greater Sydney Areas
Any person, or any person who has been in close contact with a person from (or after visiting or travelling through) the Greater Brisbane Area since 2 January 2021 or the Greater Sydney Area since 11 December 2020 and has returned to Victoria must not enter a Victorian racecourse or licensed premises for at least 14 days (from the date they left the relevant Area) and until such time as they have satisfied all Victorian Government directives around testing and/or self-isolation / quarantine.
Industry participants are requested to contact RV Stewards immediately if they have returned to Victoria from the Greater Brisbane Area since 2 January 2021 or if they have had close contact with a person from the Greater Brisbane Area since 2 January 2021 or the Greater Sydney Area since 11 December 2020, including if they have come into close contact with a person who has done so.
In addition to completing 14 days isolation, industry participants covered by the above will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test and obtain permission from the RV Stewards before being permitted to enter any Victorian racecourse or licensed premises.
Regional NSW including Central Coast, Wollongong and Blue Mountains
Any industry participants who spent time in regional NSW including the Central Coast, Wollongong and/or the Blue Mountains on or from 11 December 2020 and have already returned to Victoria are reminded to contact the RV Stewards if they have not already done so and to self-isolate as they will be required to submit a negative COVID test before being permitted entry to a Victorian racecourse or licensed premises.
Interstate Travel Advice
Industry participants who wish to travel to another state are advised to check the restrictions in place in that state at the time of travel, as well as on an ongoing basis whilst the person is travelling as restrictions may change over time.
The Victorian Government has advised Victorians who plan to travel to New South Wales or the Greater Brisbane Area in Queensland and haven’t yet left Victoria that they should postpone, cancel or change their travel plans.
For further information please visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/travel-covidsafe-summer