EXCLUSIVE: Government approves training AND racing under alert level 3

Government today gave approval for both the training and racing of thoroughbreds to resume under alert level three, which begins on Tuesday.

All employers must have a COVID-19 control plan in place, with appropriate health and safety and physical distancing measures for both staff and contractors.

Minimum measures that are necessary to mitigate or eliminate the risk of passing on the COVID-19 virus at work include:

* Supporting people with flu-like symptoms to self-isolate

* Ensuring physical distancing

* Regular disinfecting of surfaces

* Maintaining good hygiene, particularly hand hygiene and good cough/sneeze etiquette and

* Keeping records to facilitate contact tracing.

General Manager Of Welfare and Sustainability Martin Burns said NZTR was very pleased to have succeeded in getting racing approved under level three, not just training, but said it would not bring forward the proposed start date for racing on July 3.

“When we started writing these protocols we didn’t know how long we might be in level three.”

Had racing been allowed only in level two, and racing started, NZTR did not want to have to stop racing if the alert level reverted to level three.

Being able to point to racing working safely in Australia had definitely helped the process, he said.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s directives have been sent to WorkSafe for endorsement of its protocols.

“Our expectation is that all industry participants will make themselves familiar with the protocols and adhere to them strictly to ensure our industry is able to operate safely.

“We all have a part to play in ensuring racing is a responsible industry during this time.”

Differing protocols had been developed for trainers, riders and clubs, all of whom need to understand them and put them in place.

Some of the protocols include:

Riders

* No movement of riders between the North and South Islands without written permisson from NZTR.

* Body temperature checks before the start of meetings.

* Riders to bring their own food and drink.

Trainers

* Must roster staff to reduce numbers at the stable at any one time.

* Keep a daily log book of staff and details of visiting suppliers and contractors.

* Ensure that disinfectant buckets and sprays, and soap and running water, are provided throughout the stable and tie-up stalls for the regular washing of hands and gear.

* Owners are not permitted to enter a trainer’s property or stables.

Training tracks

* Clubs must allocate times for trainers to use the facility so there are as few people as possible at any given time and allocate tie-up stalls to ensure appropriate physical distancing.

Meetings

* No public can attend race meetings and those permitted must report to a designated screening area and complete a COVID-19 health screening questionnaire, submit to a body temperature check and wear a wristband at all times.

* Trainers and stable staff must attend for the minimum period of time required for them to attend to horses from their stable.

* Attendees can only access those areas of the racecourse that they need to perform their duties.

Harness Racing New Zealand reported today that it expects to be the next cab off the rank.

“RITA and the three Codes are working with various Government departments to finalise protocols for training, trialling and racing under Level 3 and beyond.

“Officials have the same team working on each protocol and are working on them in the order of thoroughbred, harness and greyhounds.”