BHA closes headquarters amid suspected coronavirus cases among staff

The BHA has been forced to shut down its head office in High Holborn in central London after a small number of suspected cases of coronavirus among staff.

The building, which also houses Great British Racing (GBR), the Jockey Club and Racecourse Owners Association (ROA), has been closed until further notice and will now undergo a deep clean.

A BHA spokesperson said: "The office at 75 High Holborn will be closed to all staff and visitors from Monday, March 16 until further notice.

"This is due to a small number of office-based BHA employees self-isolating with mild symptoms that could potentially be consistent with coronavirus, but which are not confirmed. All office-based staff are being asked to work remotely as a precaution."

The BHA stated the members of staff with suspected cases and, as a precautionary measure, those that have been in contact with them, are in self-isolation.

The BHA is currently working through all known contact points for the individuals in question but would not comment on the exact movements of the individuals at this time.

An industry steering group meeting was taking place on Monday to discuss when fixtures would go behind closed doors from later this week until March 29, and which ones might be pruned from the schedule.

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