South African racing to go behind closed doors until further notice

South Africa has been added to the growing list of countries where racing can only take place behind closed doors.

The country’s National Horseracing Authority, in a joint statement with the operators of the eight racecourses, announced on Monday afternoon that all meetings will be closed to the public until further notice and only essential racing participants will be allowed access to racecourses on racedays.

The statement made no mention of the closure of on-course Tote facilities and bookmakers but, as there are normally only one or two of the latter and as punters will be thin on the ground, it seems unlikely there will be on-course facilities. There are no longer official starting prices – most of the bigger bookmakers calculate their own.

Off-course betting shops will be subject to a maximum of 100 people at any one time and all non-racing events held at racecourses – such as conferences and meetings – are to be cancelled with immediate effect.

Hand sanitisers are to be made widely available on-course and at training centres.

Hand sanitisers: will be available at the tracks for those attendingCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The statement added: “In addition various restrictive measures are to be implemented, as well as potential lockdown procedures put into place, in the eventuality of an outbreak at any of the grooms’ accommodation.”

South Africa is a relative latecomer to coronavirus and the first case was as recently as March 5 when a man, who recently returned from Italy, tested positive. The first few positives all involved people on the same plane. There were 62 confirmed cases in the country by lunchtime on Monday.

However, president Ramaphosa declared a National State of Disaster on Sunday evening. He closed all schools from Wednesday, declared gatherings of more than 100 people illegal and banned visitors travelling from a raft of countries including the UK, US, China and much of Europe. He advised South Africans not to travel to any of these countries.

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