WA Racing Update

Last updated 30 November 2020

The WA Government has announced that particular businesses will be required to maintain contact registers for the WA Health Department COVID-19 contact tracing, from 5 December 2020.

Please note that this requirement applies to all Western Australian race meetings and non-race day events (e.g. function room bookings).

Therefore, anyone attending a race meeting or non-race day event will be required to register their contact details upon arrival to the racetrack. This includes industry participants, patrons, staff, volunteers and contractors.

Details required are location, date, name, telephone number and arrival time. Email addresses are optional.

The WA Government has developed the SafeWA app. This is a free system that uses QR codes to register attendance. It’s quick, convenient, easy to use and contactless.

Therefore, it is strongly encouraged that all individuals download the SafeWA app prior to arriving on-course, to assist our race clubs in ensuring a smooth and easy check-in process for all.

For individuals who do not have access to a device that is able to download the app, a written register will also be available.

For more information on the SafeWA app, including step by step instructions on how it works, click here.

Please note race clubs will have the right to deny entry to anyone who refuses to provide their contact information.

A contact register does not need to be maintained for trials or trackwork, which are able to remain open to the public. However, to ensure compliance with the WA Government’s requirements, any hospitality offerings will be strictly take-away only.

Please note if industry participants fail to comply with these requirements, Racing and Wagering Western Australia’s (RWWA) Stewards may consider such non-compliance to constitute a breach of the Rules of Racing.

Updated 11 November 2020

RWWA advises that following the WA Government’s announcement to transition from a hard border to a controlled interstate border, the following bio-security measures will apply to industry participants and horses travelling interstate, as of 12.01am Saturday 14 November 2020.

Individuals and horses travelling from very low risk states and territories (no community cases in 28 days):

• Travellers will be permitted with conditions on arrival including mandatory declaration and registration, with G2G prior to travel, health screening, and possible COVID-19 testing.
• Travellers from very low risk states and territories will no longer be required to quarantine if they arrive from 12.01am Saturday, 14 November.
• Therefore, there will be no restrictions on access to racecourses or licensed premises for racing participants or members of their household travelling from states and territories that fall under this category.
• In addition, racing animals travelling into WA from these states and territories will be able to proceed directly to licensed properties.
• As of 11 November 2020, very low risk states and territories include TAS, QLD, SA, ACT and NT.

Individuals and horses travelling from low risk states and territories (less than 5 community cases per day on a 14-day rolling average):

• Travellers will be permitted with conditions on arrival including mandatory declaration and registration, with G2G prior to travel, health screening, and COVID-19 testing.
• Travellers from low risk states and territories must self-quarantine for 14 days in suitable premises and must present for a COVID-19 test on Day 11 if still in WA.
• Therefore, any persons (including essential racing personnel) who resides in the same household as someone who has returned from a low risk state or territory must not interact with any other licenced racing participants during the 14-day period. Such persons will also not be permitted to attend any WA racecourses including race meetings, trials or trackwork.
• Any horse travelling into WA from low risk states and territories must go to a non-licensed property for a minimum of 24 hours and cannot proceed directly to any licensed property.
• Following this the horse can be floated to a licensed racing premise. Under no circumstance should the person who floated the horse into WA be directly involved in the transfer of the horse to a licensed racing premises.
• Any equipment or other items that have travelled with the horse should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to entry to the licensed premises.
• As of 11 November 2020, low risk states and territories include NSW and VIC.

Any WA licenced racing participant, or member of their household, who is travelling or returning from interstate travel must still notify the RWWA Stewards of their travel history.

For further information regarding WA’s controlled interstate border, click here.

Last updated 11 September 2020

As the State has transitioned into Phase 4 of the WA Government’s roadmap, we have been able to welcome patrons back to the track to once again enjoy the race day experience.

In order to allow the public to attend trials and race meetings, certain conditions still do apply:

• The 2sqm rule, inclusive of staff, must be applied to venues that hold more than 500 patrons; and
• To ensure compliance with the 2sqm rule, restricted areas are limited to essential persons only, including mounting yards, parade rings, kennelling areas and stalls.

Please note that owners are permitted to attend trackwork, however, they must adhere to all good hygiene and physical distancing requirements.

Race clubs must ensure their COVID Safety Plans are updated and continue to be implemented prior to re-opening to the public.

The above restrictions will be removed upon the implementation of Phase 5.

Harness Parade Rings and Horse Stalls

From Monday 31 August 2020, WA harness race clubs will be able to grant owners of horses participating in race meetings access to parade rings and horse stalls.

Upon further assessment, RWWA has determined that such access can be granted under the supervision of each respective club, whilst ensuring that compliance with the State Government’s 2sqm rule is adhered to at all times.

Access to owners will be provided at the individual race club’s discretion, with the race club responsible for ensuring the 2sqm rule is followed, and that physical distancing is applied where possible.

Thoroughbred Mounting Yards & Horse Stalls

From Saturday 10 October 2020, WA thoroughbred race clubs will be able to grant owners of horses participating in race meetings access to mounting yards and horse stalls.

Upon further assessment, RWWA has determined that such access can be granted under the supervision of each respective club, whilst ensuring that compliance with the State Government’s 2sqm rule is adhered to at all times.

Access to owners will be provided at the individual race club’s discretion, with the race club responsible for ensuring the 2sqm rule is followed, and that physical distancing is applied where possible.

Please note that owners must carry their race club issued mounting yard pass in order to gain access to the mounting yard and horse stall areas.

Last Updated 23 July 2020

The Pilbara and Kimberley seasons, including the Port Hedland Turf Club, Nor-West Jockey Club (Roebourne) and the Broome Turf Club’s seasons have been cancelled. Additional races will be run for the class of horses usually accommodated at the above venues at provincial race clubs in the south of the state over winter.

Last updated 13 July 2020

Please note that physical distancing and good hygiene practices must continue to be adhered to at all times when on-course, including:

• Staying home if you are unwell.
• Maintaining distance from others where possible.
• Avoiding unnecessary physical contact with others — e.g. physical greetings such as handshakes and hugs.
• Washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitiser.
• Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, using a flexed elbow or a tissue. If you use a tissue, dispose of it immediately and appropriately.

For more information please click here.

Last updated 25 November 2020

RWWA is pleased to advise that following the announcement by the WA Government regarding Phase 4 of the roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions in WA, race meetings and trials are able to re-open to the public under certain conditions.

The WA Government introduced Phase 4 on Saturday, June 27 (11.59pm Friday, June 26), with the following relevant changes for the WA racing industry:

• all existing gathering limits and the 100/300 rule removed
• gathering limits only determined by WA’s reduced 2 square metre rule
• the 2 square metre rule will only include staff at venues that hold more than 500 patrons
• removal of seated service requirements at food businesses and licensed premises
• no requirement to maintain patron register at food businesses and licensed premises
• alcohol can be served as part of unseated service arrangements
• all events permitted except for large scale, multi-stage music festivals
• unseated performances permitted at venues such as concert halls, live music venues, bars, pubs and nightclubs

Race clubs will be required to ensure their COVID Safety Plans are updated and continue to be implemented prior to re-opening to the public. Clubs will need to determine how many patrons will be able to attend venues based on the 2sqm rule, which will apply to all areas on-course.

Please note from from Saturday, December 5, race clubs will be required to maintain mandatory contact registers for staff and patrons for the purpose of Department of Health COVID-19 contact tracing.

Last updated 23 July 2020

Media will need to contact the respective club/s to ascertain their media approval process.

To ensure compliance with the 2sqm rule media must obtain approval from the RWWA Stewards in order to gain access to restricted areas, including mounting yards, parade rings, horse stalls, and kennel areas. This restriction will be removed upon the implementation of Phase 5.

Last updated 24 July 2020

Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) are currently operating, however increased biosecurity measures have been implemented to limit the potential exposure for staff, volunteers and the wider community. The following precautionary measures are in place for any meet and greets at our GAP facility:

• Prior to attending our facility you must confirm that you:
  • are not a contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case; or
  • do not believe you have may have been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19.
• If you are feeling unwell or are displaying flu-like symptoms we will be unable to accommodate you at our facility until such time as you have completely recovered.
• We will be observing social distancing within our meet and greets.
• We have implemented increased hygiene measures and request that you abide by the instructions given by staff prior to entry to the facility and as per signage displayed around the GAP kennels.

The health and safety of the community remains of paramount concern and GAP WA will continue to closely monitor and follow the advice of health authorities to ensure that appropriate measures are in place.

Last updated 30 April 2020

The Australian Government has introduced the COVIDSafe App as a valuable tool to help speed up contacting people exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19), enhancing the ability to respond rapidly to local outbreaks in order to protect the community, and not allow the virus to silently spread.

Racing and Wagering Western Australia recommends racing industry participants download the app to help ensure the safety of other participants as well as the continuation of racing in our State.

The app helps find close contacts of COVID-19 cases allowing state and territory health officials to quickly contact people who may have been exposed to COVID-19.

For further information and to watch videos on how to use the app click here.

Last updated 25 March 2020

It is understood that these are uncertain times for many individuals and therefore please be reminded that RWWA’s Racing Assist provides free confidential support through counselling to any licenced participant, whether it be due to racing-related or personal issues. For more information, click here.

As a precautionary measure to protect people’s wellbeing and ensure adequate social distancing, the Racing Assist provider PeopleSense, has shifted a majority of their services to remote delivery via telephone/video call.

Last updated 14 July 2020

To listen to the most recent TABradio update, click here.

Last updated 20 March 2020

RWWA will continue to provide up to date information to industry through as many channels as possible, including:

• RWWA website: this page will continue to be updated with key information as well as frequently asked questions.
• RWWA social media: important updates will also be shared across RWWA’s official social media channels on Twitter and Facebook.
• Race Club & Eligible Bodies: RWWA will continue to provide frequent updates with race clubs and eligible bodies.