Hong Kong ahead of schedule as racegoers return to Sha Tin on Sunday

Racegoers will return to Sha Tin on Sunday as the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) received the green light from government for crowds to return.

With restrictions easing as the third wave of coronavirus cases dissipates fans can look forward to getting back on track for four meetings – which is ahead of schedule with HKJC originally aiming for a mid-October return.

Racing has largely been behind closed doors since Covid-19 first hit Hong Kong towards the end of January, but three meetings at Sha Tin (September 20, 27 and October 1) and one at Happy Valley (September 23) will have some sort of spectator presence with groups of four allowed to make advanced table bookings.

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The HKJC did not specify how many racegoers would be admitted, just that bookings for a limited number of places would be available for priority card holders and members of the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Public health measures such as temperaure screening, masks and social distancing will be in place.

"The guiding principle is that we cannot create a public health risk," HKJC chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges told the South China Morning Post earlier this month.

Happy Valley: meeting on Wednesday week will be open to public on a limited basisCredit: Vince Caligiuri

"We cannot create a risk for our employees or our customers. We have done a lot of work in the off-season to strengthen our protocols as much as we can. To mitigate any potential further risks, we have stepped up all the health measurements, the testing processes and procedures.

"We have changed our booking system so we can increase the number of sit-down venues."

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