WA Racing Update – 29 March 2020
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) notes today’s announcement by the WA Premier Mark McGowan regarding the enforcement of social distancing and prevention of mass gatherings around the State.
Legislation will be introduced urgently this week in Parliament allowing WA Police to impose $1000 on-the-spot fines to individuals and $5000 on-the-spot fines to businesses not complying with COVID-19 risk mitigation measures specific to self-isolation, social distancing and mass gathering obligations. Penalties of up to $50,000 for individuals still apply under the Emergency Management Act for those disobeying directives from State authorities.
A dedicated enforcement squad of 200 WA police will hit the streets immediately to ensure compliance with self-isolation and mass gathering, effective today.
It is advised that RWWA is aware of WA Police visits to both Mandurah Greyhounds on Thursday evening (26 March 2020) and Byford Harness Trials today (Sunday 29 March 2020), ensuring compliance in relation to the number of essential persons on track and social distancing requirements.
RWWA has provided very clear and definitive guidelines and compliance expectations in relation to the following:
- Only essential persons for the purposes of racing, trialling and trackwork to access WA racetracks;
- Requirement to adhere to workplace requirements – participants to prepare, ride, drive, trial, race their animals and return home immediately thereafter;
- Requirement to adhere to social distancing and spacing of stalls and kennels between participants;
- Removal of food and beverage and on-course tote provisions on track;
- Continuation of all bio-security measures in place – hygiene, washing of hands; disinfecting gear;
It is requested that all Clubs and participants continue to support adherence to these RWWA guidelines and Federal and State authority requirements.
Intrastate Travel Update
The WA Government will introduce further restrictions on travel within WA from midnight Tuesday 31 March 2020, to assist in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Western Australians will not be permitted to leave their regional boundary, which will mirror those of the regional development commissions. However, due to their close proximity, the Perth and Peel regions will combine into one region. Police have the power to enforce these restrictions and fines of up to $50,000 can be issued.
Exemptions will apply to those travelling for employment purposes. Therefore, it is RWWA’s understanding that essential persons for the conduct of racing will be exempt from these restrictions. However, in relation to industry participants this would apply strictly to those only who are identified as essential persons that are working at a race meeting or trial. It is also important that essential persons carry their RWWA issued licence card when travelling at all times.
Further information on the WA Government’s intrastate travel restrictions can be found here.
Travel Guidelines
Please see below important guidelines for trainers and staff when travelling to race meetings and trials:
- Do not travel in groups – travel in isolation to ensure social distancing and use your own vehicle or the vehicle of a close contact. If travelling in a car with others, only travel with those who you have close contact with.
- When transporting horses, please ensure the equipment used for, or on, the horse (e.g. head collar and lead) is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after transportation to minimise any risk of COVID19 being spread within and outside the stable environment.
- Prior to and upon completion of the journey ensure the vehicle and horse float/truck is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to minimise any risk of spread on future journeys.
For further information on on-course precautionary measures related to COVID-19, please click here.