New COVID-19 Measures Coming Into Effect For British Racing

• COVID status certification for all people at fixtures with 4,000-plus attendees
• Certification required for entry to Weighing Room Complex at all fixtures
• Face coverings re-introduced in outdoor close-contact operational areas

British racing is prepared for the introduction of COVID status certification at racecourses in England from today, Wednesday 15th December, following the publication of updated UK Government guidance for sports venues.

Racing is also taking additional steps, as set out below, to help protect our people and our sport from the risk of COVID-related disruption.

Certification For ALL Racecourse Attendees

All attendees at fixtures in England where attendance is likely to exceed 4,000 will be asked on arrival for evidence of COVID status certification.

For the avoidance of doubt, this will apply to every individual aged 18 or over who intends to enter the racecourse at these meetings.

To enter the racecourse, every individual must:

• Be fully vaccinated (at least two doses);
• Or have completed a negative lateral flow or PCR test before attending, ideally within the previous 12 hours or at most within the previous 48 hours;
• Or be exempt based on approved medical exemption or clinical trial participation.

One of the above will always be required at these fixtures. Attendees are therefore advised to prepare for the use of COVID status certification at all fixtures, as specific attendance numbers cannot always be known in advance.

Any person who does not have valid Covid status certification will be refused entry.

Face Coverings Again Mandatory At All Times In Outdoor Operational Areas

Face coverings will be reintroduced in outdoor racing operational areas on British racecourses, including the parade and pre-parade rings, saddling and unsaddling areas, horse walks, racecourse stables, at the start and (for jockeys) it is advised they are worn during the race.

Every individual working in or entering these areas, including Weighing Room personnel, officials, trainers, owners, and guests, will again be required to wear a covering.

This precaution will help further protect business-critical personnel in those areas where close contact and mixing between Weighing Room staff and other attendees creates additional risk of transmitting the virus.

In line with government guidance, face coverings will also be required in most indoor settings on course, unless food or drink is being consumed.

Commenting on the tightening of restrictions, the BHA’s Chief Medical Adviser, Dr Jerry Hill, said: “Racing must continue to do all we can to protect the health and livelihoods of our people and maintain business continuity. These measures are considered essential to support this objective at a time where cases of the Omicron variant of the virus are increasing exponentially and other sports are facing COVID-related fixture cancellations.

“It’s vital therefore that we remain vigilant and take every possible precaution to safeguard our business-critical workforce, without whom the industry may struggle to staff all fixtures. This means getting vaccinated, testing regularly, and following the infection control measures on course, especially in higher-risk indoor and outdoor close contact areas.”