Jockeys told to produce negative lateral flow tests to enter the weighing room

Everyone entering the weighing-room complex on a raceday in Britain, including jockeys and valets, will be required to present evidence of a negative lateral flow test in a move to protect the sport from the threat of fixture cancellations due to staff shortages.

The new measure by the BHA, in response to rising Covid-19 cases, comes into force from next Wednesday, January 5.

The protocol will require all weighing-room personnel to take a test prior to attending the racecourse, with no lateral flow tests available on site.

The measures come despite increasing concerns over the availability of lateral flow tests, with health secretary Sajid Javid stating there may be a need to "constrain" supplies for up to two weeks to manage the rising demand.

Jockeys at Haydock on Thursday expressed mixed views about the move.

Kielan Woods said: "I rang the chemist near where I live today and none of them seem to have the tests. I think Jerry Hill [BHA chief medical adviser] is going to get in touch and has a plan for us, but it could be a little bit difficult to get the tests.

"If it keeps us racing and everybody healthy then that's the main thing."

Fellow rider Charlie Deutsch said: "We're like any working people and I think it's a little bit over the top, really. We weren't doing this through lockdown and we're all following the protocols and haven't had any problems so far, but if it's the right thing to do, so be it."

Dr Jerry Hill: lateral flow tests are a 'necessary precaution' to minimise Covid-19 spreadCredit: Mark Cranham

Announcing the move, Dr Hill said: "Racing's Covid-19 mitigation strategy continues to focus on protecting our business-critical raceday personnel, whose absence due to illness or isolation may result in us struggling to staff fixtures.

"The introduction of mandatory pre-raceday lateral flow testing for weighing-room workers is therefore another important step to help safeguard our people and the racing product.

"Vaccination remains an essential part of the fight against Covid-19, reducing the likelihood of serious illness; and combined with regular testing, we are taking the necessary precautions to minimise our chances of catching and spreading the disease in this core work environment."

The test requirement builds upon previous BHA Covid-19 protocols introduced on December 15, which necessitated all those entering the weighing room to produce evidence of Covid status certification. This was in addition to previous measures on mask wearing and social distancing at all meetings.

Dale Gibson, interim chief executive of the Professional Jockeys' Asssociation, said on Thursday: "There's going to be a little more consultation yet, so there may be some additional information in the next 24 hours.

"We're working with Jerry Hill, the BHA and the racecourses just to confirm the next step."

Wolverhampton, Ffos Las and Kempton will be the first courses to implement the regulations on Wednesday, with anyone unable to produce a negative lateral flow test set to be refused entry to the weighing-room facilities.

Covid-19 cases across the United Kingdom hit a record figure of 183,037 on Wednesday, with Northern Ireland announcing on Thursday its self-isolation period following a negative test result would be reduced to seven days in line with England's measures, while Scotland and Wales remain ten days.

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