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 effective from 19 November 2021:
Entry to Racecourse
- Only licensed persons and officials are permitted to enter the stabling area when conducting licensed activities or official duties essential for the conduct of a race meeting.
- Children of licensed persons are strictly not permitted in the stabling area at a racecourse.
- All licensed persons and officials must check in via the Service Victoria QR code and where required the HRV QR code prior to entering the racecourse.
- Licensed persons and officials may only enter the racecourse and stabling area when they comply with the Victorian Government health directions related to vaccination requirements applicable at that time. For the current requirements refer below or see here.
Vaccination Requirements
- The Victorian Government has published health directions requiring authorised workers, including those in the racing industry, to be fully vaccinated by 26 November 2021.
- As such, the participant bubble, which separates industry participants from the general public at harness racing meetings will remain in place until Friday 26 November 2021.
- From 26 November 2021, it will be a condition of entry to the racing operations areas on raceday that all persons will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Participant and Public Separation Requirements
- Licensed persons and officials, whilst on course for the purposes of conducting licensed activities or official duties, are not permitted to enter any area designated for the public.
- Registered owners who enter the area designated for the public must not enter the stabling area or any other area designated for licensed persons.
Face Mask Requirements
- All persons must carry a properly fitting face mask and wear it when directed by a club official or HRV steward and when they are unable to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other persons.
Social Distancing Requirements
- All persons are reminded to exercise appropriate physical distancing protocols and to maintain 1.5-metre distancing wherever possible.
- Trainers, drivers and stablehands must 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.).
Non-Compliance
- All persons are advised that should they fail to comply with any of 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.
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.
