HRNSW Management advises that they are currently monitoring the health of a person who was in attendance at the Penrith Harness meeting on Thursday 19 March 2020 and who had previously been in direct contact with a person from outside the industry who has confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19 virus.
Anyone who had direct contact with the person at the Penrith harness meeting have already been notified.
Consequently and regrettably, HRNSW advises that Harness Racing will be temporarily suspended until the results of medical testing become available.
The race meetings scheduled from today through until Thursday 26 March 2020 have been abandoned. For meetings after that date, fields will be drawn to facilitate the recommencement of harness racing at the earliest opportunity.
All persons who attended the Penrith harness meeting on Thursday 19 March 2020 are advised to closely monitor their health and seek immediate medical attention should they develop flu like symptoms.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/
HRNSW should also be advised immediately if any industry participant becomes unwell regardless of their location.
HRNSW management reminds all industry participants of the available industry support program.
https://www.hrnsw.com.au/industry-integrity/development--support-program-dasp
Finally, the Board and management of HRNSW have taken these precautionary steps for the protection of the community, industry participants and staff.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
For further information on this matter contact:
Integrity Manager Michael Prentice or Chairman of Stewards Grant Adams
mprentice@hrnsw.com.au (02) 9722 6600
gadams@hrnsw.com.au (02) 9722 6600
