Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) is pleased to advise of last night’s announcement, that pending no further local cases of COVID-19, the five-day lockdown for the Perth, Peel and South West regions will end as planned at 6pm, Friday 5 February.
Perth and Peel will enter into a post-lockdown transition period from 6pm Friday 5 February until 12.01am, Sunday 14 February.
Racing will be able to resume in the State under certain conditions from Saturday, 6 February.
Please note that whilst the transition period will only apply to the Perth and Peel regions, to allow for travel exemptions for industry participants to cross regional boundaries to attend race meetings, all racecourses must operate as a place of employment only.
Therefore, in accordance with WA Government requirements, the following bio-security measures will apply to all WA racetracks.
Access to Racecourses
To ensure compliance with the four square metre capacity rule, up to a maximum of 150, only those essential to the running of racing will be granted access to WA racetracks at all times, including race meetings, trials and trackwork.
Those considered essential persons for the conduct of racing include:
- Licensed jockeys or drivers engaged to compete at a race meeting, trial or trackwork
- Licensed trainers with runners engaged at a race meeting, trial or trackwork
- Registered stable or kennel staff of trainers with runners engaged at a race meeting, trial or trackwork
- Racing vision broadcasters and official on-course photographers
- Horse transport staff
- RWWA staff and officials
- Race club staff and officials
All licenced participants identified as essential persons must have their RWWA licence card with them at all times when attending race meetings, trials and trackwork. Essential persons who do not have a RWWA licence card (e.g. officials) will be provided with an Essential Persons Identification pass.
Good Hygiene Practises & Physical Distancing
The following good hygiene and physical distancing practises must be adhered to at all times when on-course (including race meetings, trials and trackwork):
- Staying home if you are unwell.
- Masks are to be worn at all time by all persons attending racetracks (except jockeys and drivers during a race).
- Physical distancing of 1.5 metres from others where possible. To ensure appropriate physical distancing, only one person should be in a horse stall at any point in time.
- No unnecessary physical contact with others — e.g. physical greetings such as handshakes and hugs.
- Washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitiser.
- Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, using a flexed elbow or a tissue. If you use a tissue, dispose of it immediately and appropriately.
Race clubs are to maintain general and sensible hygiene practises. This includes ensuring hand sanitisers are placed in appropriate areas, as well as implementing increased cleaning routines in high touch points across racing facilities.
Race Club Food & Beverage Offerings
Take-away only options will be available on-course, with no dine-in options to be available. Please note it is at the discretion of each individual club as to whether takeaway options are made available for participants on-course.
Travel Exemptions
The WA Government has confirmed that those essential for the running of racing will be granted with travel exemptions to attend trials and race meetings.
In order to cross the boundary between the Perth/Peel region and surrounding regions, industry participants who are identified as essential persons for the conduct of racing, should apply for a G2G PASS on the basis of travelling for work purposes. A Letter of Authority to Travel provided by an employer may also be issued to support a G2G PASS application and can be carried on the person during their travels.
To apply for a G2G PASS, click here.
If you are unable to obtain a G2G pass prior to your travel arrangement, please contact RWWA’s racing department and you will be issued with a Letter of Authority to Travel.
Please note industry participants must have either a G2G pass or Letter of Authority to Travel to cross the Perth and Peel borders.
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RWWA would like to thank industry participants for their patience during this challenging time and we are looking forward to being able to resume racing in the State.
The details of the transition out of lockdown are available on WA.gov.au.
