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Hygiene Information Media Releases Bulletins Role of the Participants

Hygiene Information

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. The virus can spread from person to person, but good hygiene can prevent infection.

Racing Australia has responded to the virus through initiating its Health Emergency Continuity Plan and begun operating remotely in order to continue servicing the industry while also safeguarding the public.

Racing Australia has been working closely with Principal Racing Authorities to ensure continuation of thoroughbred racing accross Australia. Our objectives are simple:

To keep racing going
To maintain employement within our sport for the majority of our 74.000 plus time participants, and
To ensure that equine welfare is kept at the highest level

Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly.

People with coronavirus may experience:

Fever
Symptoms such as coughing, a sore throat and fatigue
Shortness of breath

Everyone must practise good hygiene to protect against infection and prevent the virus spreading.

Practicing Good Hygiene

When you practise good hygiene you:

Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
Put used tissues straight into the bin
Wash your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
Use alcohol-based hand sanitisers
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces such as benchtops, desks and doorknobs
Clean and disinfect frequently used objects such as mobile phones, keys, wallets and work passes
Increase the amount of fresh air available by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

Alcohol-free hand rubs have not been shown to be effective against viruses like COVID-19, and experts recommend against using them.

Everyone must also stay 1.5 metres away from other people whenever possible. This is called social distancing.

Media Releases

AN OPEN LETTER TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE AUSTRALIAN THOROUGHBRED RACING INDUSTRY

Racing Australia would like to thank everyone involved in our sport for their commitment and support during these testing times. Australian racing has lead the way in deploying the best bio-security protocols which has ensured the continuation of racing throughout Australia with the exclusion of Tasmania.

27 April 2020

RACING AUSTRALIA FOCUSED ON CONTINUATION OF THOROUGHBRED RACING DURING COVID-19

The Racing Australia Board met on Wednesday, 18 March to assess its next steps in ensuring the continuity of service to the Thoroughbred racing industry nationally as a result of the direct and indirect impacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

1 April 2020

AN OPEN LETTER TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE AUSTRALIAN THOROUGHBRED RACING INDUSTRY

On behalf of Racing Australia's Directors, Executive Management and staff members, I wish to express our concern to all participants in thoroughbred racing who are facing critical challenges as a consequence of COVID-19.

31 March 2020

RACING AUSTRALIA BOARD MEET TO CONSIDER CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESPONSE

19 March 2020

RACING AUSTRALIA HOW TO TRANSACT ONLINE AND AVOID PAPER FORMS CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESPONSE PLAN

Given the unprecedented circumstances we're facing as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Racing Australia highly recommends that all owners, breeders and trainers complete any ongoing and future transactions online.

16 March 2020

RACING AUSTRALIA CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESPONSE PLAN

Racing Australia offices are currently continuing to operate as normal to support the Principal Racing Authorities, Race Clubs and participants as the industry moves to the continuation of racing from Monday

15 March 2020

Bulletins

RACING AUSTRALIA
UPDATE FOR OWNERS

As previously communicated, Racing Australia enacted its Health Emergency (COVID-19 Response Plan) in March with staff across the organisation working remotely.

29 April 2020

RACING AUSTRALIA
SERVICE CENTRE
UPDATE FOR TRAINERS

As previously communicated, Racing Australia has enacted its Health Emergency (COVID-19 Response Plan) from Monday 16 March 2020 with staff across the organisation progressively transitioning to working remotely.

1 April 2020

FEDERAL STATE
CORONAVIRUS STIMULES
PACKAGES FACT-SHEET

The Federal and State/Territory Governments of Australia have released a series of Coronavirus Stimulus Packages to support households and businesses and address the significant economic consequences of the Coronavirus.

26 March 2020

Role of the Participants

AN OPEN LETTER TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE
AUSTRALIAN THOROUGHBRED RACING INDUSTRY

31 March 2020

Dear Racing Participants,

On behalf of Racing Australia’s Directors, Executive Management and staff members, I wish to express our concern to all participants in thoroughbred racing who are facing critical challenges as a consequence of COVID-19.

The Australian people are experiencing an unprecedented public health and economic crisis. The scale of the impact is unknown, however, we do know that the Federal, State and Territory governments have acted decisively in response to the public health and economic threat. What is indisputable is the significant effects of COVID-19 on small to medium enterprises and large corporations that have contributed to the prosperity of racing.

I am pleased to report that Racing Australia has been working closely with Principal Racing Authorities, to ensure continuation of thoroughbred racing across Australia. Our objectives are simple:

to keep racing going,
to maintain employment within our sport for the majority of our 74,000 plus full-time participants, and
to ensure that equine welfare is kept at the highest level.

These are proud achievements that would not have occurred without your compliance to the new protocols implemented by Australian racing. Our responsibility is to follow the advice of the National Cabinet, the Principal Racing Authorities and medical experts to ensure thoroughbred racing stands the best chance to continue.

This means, when at work, follow the protocols put in place by your Principal Racing Authority at all times. And when not at work, stay at home, obey social distancing and wash your hands! This is vitally important for the ongoing viability of the industry we love and which supports so many livelihoods.

Racing Australia has engaged experts to represent our interests to governments throughout Australia. Racing Australia, working together with our advisors and the Principal Racing Authorities, has submitted an extensive analysis to the National Cabinet this past weekend.

The report highlights:

Australian racing’s economic contribution of around $9.5 billion with 51% generated in regional Australia
28,157 racehorses ran during the 2018/19 racing season
4.2 million people attended a race-meeting last year
Nearly 160,000 people participate in thoroughbred racing
21,425 volunteers make racing possible
$728.8 million in prize money was paid out last racing season
Caring, exercising and maintaining a Thoroughbred is a 24/7/365 commitment
A return to racing, should we be forced to close, is not simply a matter of turning on a tap. A 2-month closure is effectively a 6-month closure.

On behalf of Racing Australia, I sincerely hope that you all remain safe and healthy throughout these tough times and please don’t drop your guard. We need everyone to do their bit.

Greg Nichols
Chairman
Racing Australia