Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to advise of changes to the biosecurity protocols in place in Victoria to allow for the safe continuation of racing and training during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The protocols serve to protect the health of industry staff, participants and the wider Victorian community; maintain 25,000 full-time equivalent jobs; and ensure daily care and exercise can be afforded to all thoroughbred racehorses.
The following changes relate to new orders issued by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer regarding COVID zones within other states and territories.
Industry Protocols
The industry’s protocols around interstate travel are enhanced to provide an important layer of security for Victorian racing. They can be viewed by clicking here.
NSW Travel and Cross-Border Community Members
The Victorian Government has declared that all of New South Wales (NSW) will become a red zone with effect from 11.59pm tonight (Sunday, 11 July 2021).
As a result, any Victorian licensed or registered participant who enters NSW (being a red zone) is not permitted to attend any racecourse or licensed premises in Victoria until they have completed 14 days of quarantine and provide RV Stewards with a negative result from a COVID test taken on day 13 in Victoria, and receive clearance from them to attend.
Any licensed or registered participant who is currently in, or has visited NSW since 4 July 2021, is also asked to contact RV immediately either by calling the Stewards or by emailing crisismanagement@racingvictoria.net.au.
Any Victorian licensed or registered participant who resides in a Victorian border community and enters a NSW border community (being a red zone) must remain within the areas permitted under the ‘border bubble’.
As all of NSW has been declared a red zone from 11.59pm tonight, they are not permitted to attend a racecourse or licensed premises in Victoria outside the ‘border bubble’ until they have completed 14 days of quarantine and provide RV Stewards with a negative result from a COVID test taken on day 13 in Victoria, and receive clearance from them to attend.
For the avoidance of any doubt, any Victorian residents who reside in the ‘border bubble’ are permitted to move around Victoria without restrictions, provided they remain on the Victorian side of the border and do not visit NSW (including its border communities).
Australian Capital Territory
The Victorian Government has declared that all of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will also become a red zone with effect from 11.59pm tonight (Sunday, 11 July 2021).
As a result, any Victorian licensed or registered participant who enters the ACT (being a red zone) is not permitted to attend any racecourse or licensed premises in Victoria until they complete 14 days of quarantine and provide RV Stewards with a negative result from a COVID test taken on day 13 in Victoria, and receive clearance from them to attend.
Any licensed or registered participant who is currently in, or has visited the ACT since 4 July 2021, is also asked to contact RV immediately either by calling the Stewards or by emailing crisismanagement@racingvictoria.net.au.
Conclusion
RV is continuing to closely monitor the situation both interstate and within Victoria, and will make changes to the industry’s biosecurity protocols as required to ensure the safe continuation of racing and training in Victoria.
Where changes are made, further updates will be provided so please remain alert to further communication from RV and/or the Victorian Government.
All licensed participants and owners in Victoria are asked to follow all public health advice and to stay home and get tested if they, or anyone they live with, is unwell and displaying any COVID-19 symptoms.