Racecourses across the country will be required to alter their barrier stalls to comply with the governments social distancing rules of 1.5m.
Race clubs and organisations across the country have implemented strict protocols to combat the coronavirus pandemic in recent weeks although the Racing Australia Board has announced on Wednesday morning that barriers would need to be altered to comply with the 1.5m social distancing rules.
The requirements would see each race club having to remove every second barrier to comply which will in turn reduce the capacity of most clubs field sizes.
Racing Victoria was on the forefront of the release having already reduced the maximum field sizes for races in the state during the duration of the epidemic and the new requirements will most likely see other states follow suit.
The Racing Australia announcement was sent to all race clubs on Wednesday morning and read:
Racing Australia continues to invest in the ongoing development, enhancement and testing of a robust Business Continuity Plan. As an extension of the existing Business Continuity Plan, a Health Emergency Continuity Plan has been developed and more recently a specific Coronavirus (COVID19) Response Plan has also been developed to ensure the continuity of services provided by Racing Australia.
Given the constantly evolving situation, Racing Australia will require all race clubs to space their barrier stalls by at least 1.5m to comply with social distancing rules imposed by State and Federal Governments.
Each club will be allowed to alter their barriers at their discretion to comply with the new requirements which are set to come into force from the 5th April to allow for already finalised races to run as normal.
