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COVID-19 Update for Industry Participants (9 July 2021)

Greater Sydney Area

The announcement by the NSW Government that the areas of Liverpool, Bankstown and Fairfield are areas of high concern is a reminder to all industry participants of the continuing vigilance that must been shown to ensure that COVID-19 does not impact the NSW thoroughbred racing industry.

All participants are required to check on a daily basis the updated list of exposure sites and public transport modes that are considered close and casual contacts throughout the Greater Sydney Area found at the link below.

Click Here - Covid 19 Exposure Sites

Racing NSW requires any person that has been to the venues listed in the link above, to follow NSW Health Orders, get test and self-isolate as directed. Further those persons must not attend a NSW racecourse or licensed premises until such time that they provide Racing NSW with a negative COVID-19 test result and approval is given from Racing NSW to resume attendance. All licensed persons, officials and service providers must report to Racing NSW Stewards if they have been to such locations.

Leaving Home for Absolutely Essential Purposes Only

All participants, particularly those in the Greater Sydney Area, are requested to limit their movements during the lockdown period to avoid being exposed to COVID-19 and risking the industry. Under the current NSW Government COVID-19 Stay at Home orders, persons are not permitted to leave their homes without a reasonable excuse. Reasonable excuse includes essential work or education, shopping for food or other essential goods and services, medical care or compassionate needs and outdoor exercise with no more than 2 people. Visiting family and friends is not permitted under those Stay at Home orders.

During these times of heightened risk, wherever possible participants should try to further limit the time that they leave their homes and do so when only absolutely essential, even if technically permitted under the reasonable excuses. The vigilance of the NSW racing participants in going over and above the technical legal restrictions will provide a further layer of protection from the COVID-19 virus infiltrating the NSW racing industry and jeopardising its ongoing viability.

Mandatory Wearing of Face Masks (N95 or KN95)

Mandatory face masks (N95 or surgical) are to be worn by all persons attending a NSW race meeting. Further, Essential Personnel working at racecourses, licensed premises or stables in the Greater Sydney Area (including trackwork, jump outs and barrier trials) must wear a face mask at all times.

N95 masks are the most effective mask to prevent the spread of the Delta strain and accordingly persons are requested to use this type of mask. At a minimum surgical mask must be worn. Cloth masks are ineffective against the Delta strain and therefore their use is not permitted.

Mandatory face masks (N95 or surgical) are to be worn by all persons including Essential Personnel and patrons (where permitted) at race meetings and barrier trials conducted throughout NSW.

Government orders mandate that face masks must be worn at all times when in an indoor area of a non-residential premises throughout NSW. Premises include in the workplace, such as inside stable premises or offices.

The link below provides instructions as to how to fit the N95 mask to ensure it is providing the best protection from COVID-19.

Click Here - Fitting of N95 mask

Monitoring for symptoms and Temperature Checking

All employers (including trainers, race clubs and service providers) within the Greater Sydney Area must conduct mandatory temperature testing of all staff when they arrive at work on each occasion.

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.

Most common symptoms:

• fever
• dry cough
• tiredness
• Less common symptoms:
• aches and pains
• sore throat
• diarrhoea
• conjunctivitis
• headache
• loss of taste or smell
• a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes

Serious symptoms:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
• chest pain or pressure.
• loss of speech or movement.

Any participant with the slightest of symptoms listed above should not attend work, get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. This must be reported to Racing NSW.

On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

Race Meetings (to be read in conjunction with release on 30 June 2021)

Race clubs throughout NSW must ensure that persons attending race meetings have not attended exposure sites in the link below and wear a face mask.

Click Here - Covid 19 Exposure Sites

Only Essential Personnel may attend race meetings within the Greater Sydney Area. Owners are not permitted to attend race meetings, barrier trials, trackwork and licensed premises in the Greater Sydney Area.

Temperature checks must be conducted at all entrances to race meetings within the Greater Sydney Area.