Essential advice and guidance for all those disrupted by coronavirus pandemic

Horseracing in Britain will not take place until at least the end of April after measures put in place by the BHA on Tuesday due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the BHA outlined its awareness of the potential financial hardships for many in the sport, and the supporting networks around it, that could be brought on by this cancellation of racing for six weeks.

As well as liaising with the Department for Digital Culture, Media & Sport and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about the economic issues racing faces, the BHA has been preparing a financial submission to the government to access whatever funding is available to the sport, and to better understand which of the measures announced by the chancellor Rishi Sunak on Tuesday can be tapped for support.

Racing has been “warned not to expect immediate answers from government”, according to the BHA, with the likes of the Levy Board and the Racing Foundation likely to be heavily leaned on as part of a 'self-help' approach being suggested to the sport in the short term.

A joint statement from the BHA, National Trainers Federation (NTF), Racecourse Association (RCA), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) and The Horsemen’s Group, said: "We know these are anxious times for everyone in our industry. Whilst everyone is worrying about the health of their families, we now face this huge disruption.

“We know people are worried about their jobs and the survival of their businesses. We are working round-the-clock to present the most powerful case we can to the UK and devolved governments.”

While racing in Ireland has been cleared to continue under even stricter protocols than before, partly due to the desire to maintain employment and incomes for those within the industry, heightened hygiene measures and amended working practises are in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 where possible. They will be monitored daily by authorities.

The outbreak of coronavirus has impacted sport and society in ways unimaginable just a few weeks ago, with new advice and restrictions coming out daily in an attempt to combat the illness.

Here, the Racing Post can provide clarity on what the changing landscape means for those working in racing, in roles related to the sport and those wanting to keep abreast of developments while waiting for circumstances to return to normal after this most unusual time.

What should those who work in racing do?

Maintaining the health and welfare of the estimated 14,000 horses in training in Britain has been stressed as a priority by the BHA during the coronavirus shutdown.

With training grounds remaining open in the major racing centres for the time being – there has been no indication from government that such open-air facilities should cease to operate due to Covid-19 – the routine exercising of horses should not be affected through to the end of April. This should hopefully allow yards to hit the ground running once the ban is lifted.

Warren Hill: open for business

Trainers based in Britain have few options but to keep their horses ticking over with Ireland not accepting overseas runners, France having no racing until April 15 at the earliest and advice being issued by the government to avoid all non-essential travel for the next 30 days.

The primary focus for those running training establishments is to limit social interaction where possible, such as potentially staggering shifts for workers, creating additional break-out areas for staff to avoid clustering, and temporarily stopping yard visits for owners.

Additionally, ensuring extremely high levels of personal hygiene at yards is viewed as crucial in helping to combat the outbreak of coronavirus, which is predominately spread through the air in droplets when infected individuals cough or sneeze, although it can also be passed on via surfaces such as your hands or door handles.

Making sure there are adequate amounts of soap and water for regular hand washing, hand gels with an alcohol content of at least 60 per cent and discouraging people shaking hands are all vital steps when people do come into regular contact, as is the case in working yards.

On Tuesday, BHA chief executive Nick Rust stated the decision to stop racing would be kept “under constant review” and that the regulator would “endeavour to keep all customers, participants, staff and dependent businesses informed as the situation progresses”.

What are your representatives saying?

Racing’s representative bodies have been working together to issue advice and guidance to their members in line with government action and the steerage of the governing bodies in Britain and Ireland.

The NTF and Nars (National Association of Racing Staff) have worked closely on providing updates to their members based on BHA and government guidance.

Stable staff are being provided with updates by governing bodiesCredit: Edward Whitaker

As well as stressing good working and hygiene practices, the NTF has urged trainers to regularly liaise with owners about their horses, the steps racing is taking and why, along with trying to understand how the changes to everyday life are potentially affecting their businesses and income and what impact that could have on paying bills etc.

NTF members in significant hardship can access the Racehorse Trainers Benevolent Fund, while Racing Welfare services are also available to all trainers seeking help and advice.

All staff and employers are being reminded to self-isolate for 14 days if they show any of the symptoms of Covid-19 – a new, persistent dry cough or a fever above 37.5C. More information on the illness and symptoms can be found on the NHS 111 website (111.nhs.uk).

With schools closing in Britain, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales by the end of Friday – they have already closed in Ireland – caring for children is going to become more of an issue for people working in racing.

Employees have a right to unpaid emergency leave to make alternative arrangements, generally lasting a few days. Employers have been asked to be flexible due to the crisis.

For people diagnosed with Covid-19, they can self-certify absence for seven days and then, depending on the employer, must provide medical evidence for the following seven days to ensure normal sick pay during this time.

Anyone forced to self-isolate due to a family member being diagnosed can claim statutory sick pay (SSP) for a period of 14 days. SSP will be available from day one rather than day four, as is normally the case. More information can be found on racehorsetrainers.org and naors.co.uk.

The PJA (thepja.co.uk) has been writing to members to update them and continues to provide services, such as nutritional advice, remotely. The Injured Jockeys Fund (injuredjockeys.co.uk) facilities at Peter O’Sullevan House in Newmarket, Oaksey House in Lambourn and Jack Berry House in Malton remain open, albeit with smaller teams than usual.

Visitors at Jack Berry House in MaltonCredit: Louise Pollard

Racing Welfare’s services, available to all in racing, can be accessed on racingwelfare.co.uk, while all industry groups have also encouraged regular checking of social media.

The IRTA (Irish Racehorse Trainers Association) and ISSA (Irish Stable Staff Association) have also been working closely to issue advice for members, with social distancing and good personal hygiene the main thrusts.

Staff going to the races are advised to take their own food and water and not to mingle, and also to stay away from work if feeling unwell. Jockeys and trainers have been given the same advice.

The Irish government has also announced an emergency jobseekers' benefit, designed to assist anyone out of work as a result of the current public health crisis.

The payment, intended to cover the next six weeks, is due to be made within days and will cover people until such time as a more specific social protection schemes may be put in place.

What about government action?

A range of measures has been implemented by the UK and Ireland governments over the past week in an attempt to mitigate against potential financial pressures caused by Covid-19.

In Ireland, if you are an employer who has had to shorten your employees' week or have had to close for a number of weeks, there are supports available for you to continue to pay your staff if you can afford to do so.

Self-employed people, who normally have to wait several months for social welfare payments, have new rules in place designed to speed up the process.

The specific details of these measures are available on the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection website (dsfa.ie), where relevant online application forms can be accessed.

In the UK, a huge financial stimulus package was unveiled by chancellor Rishi Sunak on Tuesday totalling £330 billion – equivalent to 15 per cent of GDP.

It included a relaxation around business rates and the potential for cash grants of up to £25,000, with the BHA and NTF exploring how this could potentially relate to racing personnel.

Businesses with fewer than 250 employees will be able to reclaim SSP resulting from Covid-19 and payment of any outstanding tax can be negotiated with HMRC.

Mortgage holidays of up to three months have been agreed with mortgage providers for those financially impacted by the illness, while the self-employed can apply for universal credit if they are having financial difficulties. More information is available at gov.uk.

Read more:

Irish racing to continue behind closed doors after crucial Wednesday meeting

Uncertainty around racing's return as coronavirus pandemic shuts down the sport

Leading course bookmaker warns of calamity for layers in Ireland due to virus

Bet directly from any racecard by tapping the odds button to open your betslip. View the latest races available on the racecards tab on racingpost.com or on the free Racing Post app