To protect the health and wellbeing of racing participants, RWWA has secured a strong supply of Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) for jockeys and apprentices, with mandatory testing now in place.
To be eligible to ride at race meetings, jockeys and apprentices must return a negative test, supervised by RWWA at one of the testing locations detailed below, within a two-day period prior to a scheduled race meeting. For example, to ride on a Sunday the test needs to be undertaken on or after Friday morning.
RAT’s will be supplied by RWWA, at no cost to the rider. Initial supplies of RAT’s are nasal swabs and will be self-administered.
Testing will be available between 5am and 9am at trackwork at Ascot Racecourse and Lark Hill on the following days: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday.
Additional testing will be made available as required when race meetings are conducted on a Monday or Tuesday.
The new protocol aims to ensure riders are routinely screened for COVID-19 twice per week, and therefore safeguarding the health of racing participants, and the continuation of racing in WA.
Please note it is the responsibility of all riders to ensure they undertake a RWWA supervised test in the two days prior to riding at a race meeting. Any rider who has failed to undertake the RAT in accordance with the new protocol, must contact RWWA Stewards for advice prior to travelling to a race meeting. Under no circumstance can a rider enter a jockeys’ room without having followed such protocol.
Further controls will also be introduced at race clubs to limit persons entering the jockeys’ room during a race meeting.
Any rider exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive to COVID-19 or have been identified as a close contact of a positive case, are not to attend any race meeting or training facility, and must follow State Government advice for testing and isolation.
Further information about the State Government’s testing and isolation guidelines can be found here.
