Government allows racing in Victoria to continue as state of disaster declared

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed racing will continue throughout tough new Covid-19 restrictions.

It comes after Andrews revealed on Monday that a number of industries and businesses will shut under stage four lockdowns. On Sunday, the state of Victoria declared a state of disaster with cases on the rise.

Andrews said animal welfare played a key part in his government's decision to keep racing.

"It continues because obviously it's a very-low risk activity, there are changes though, there will be no owners, there will be no media, there will be only broadcaster and direct participants involved in that activity," Andrews said.

"There are some significant animal welfare issues if you were try to turn that industry off, those animals out of training, there are some significant animal welfare issues there.

"It's a compromise, I'm sure some in that industry won't be pleased, it has been scaled back further but we think we have struck the right balance there."

There may be some further safety protocols introduced on some racecourses.

Racing has continued through the pandemic period due largely to strict bio-security controls, which has included segregation of jockeys, mandatory face masks for those on course and the closing of tracks and training facilities to owners and participants deemed not crucial to the continuation of racing.

In a statement released on Monday night, Racing Victoria boss Giles Thompson said the industry did not 'take the right to continue racing during these unprecedented times lightly'.

Thompson said: "As we have done throughout the pandemic, we'll continue to take decisive action to ensure that we provide the safest environment possible for those participating in Victorian racing, as well as the wider community.

"With immediate effect, all owners are banned from attending race meetings in Victoria until otherwise advised, with a return to essential staff and active participants only.

"We have been continually reviewing our biosecurity protocols throughout the pandemic and this will be a key focus again over the coming days to determine what further enhancements can and should be made in light of the current circumstances within Victoria."

The State government on Sunday announced tough new social measures aimed to reduce case numbers, including tough curfews and travel restrictions.

The continuation of racing represents a significant relief for Racing Victoria and clubs with the start of the Spring Carnival just weeks away.

Australian Trainers' Association chief executive Andrew Nicholl said racing had earned its right to continue through the fine efforts of participants during the first stages of the pandemic.

"From a pure industry viewpoint, racing has earned its stripes in this regard," Nicholl said. "We've had exemplary performances from all participants. We've been Covid-19 free for nearly five months in terms of operations at training centres, at racing tracks and everywhere in between, so racing has earned its rights to continue.

"It's a relief for the entire racing industry. I mean we've got over 4,500 horses out there in training. We've got 850 trainers, 180 jockeys and over 2,000 registered stablehands. This is a big, big workforce."

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