Industry updates / Owners, attendants and bookmakers return to the track

In line with the easing of restrictions by the NSW Government in relation to gatherings and movement around the State, Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) and the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) are pleased to announce that from June 5, 2020, a number of changes will be made to restrictions at race meetings.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, both GRNSW and GWIC have emphasised that they will be guided by the Government and health authorities before making any decisions on the easing of restrictions, and this was evidenced by the removal of the regional zones from June 1.

From tomorrow, in accordance with the NSW Government regulations, racetracks, as licensed venues,  will be allowed 50 customers per existing separate seated food or drink areas. The total number of persons is calculated by allowing four (4) square metres of space for each customer, excluding staff members, on the premises.

If a premise includes more than one restaurant or cafe, the limitation on the number of customers to whom food and drink may be sold for consumption on that premise is per restaurant or cafe on the premise. So, for example, if the venue includes two restaurants, each may sell food or drinks at any time to no more than 50 customers to consume on the premise, subject to having at least four (4) square metres of space for each person, and other than staff members, in the restaurant.

Another restriction which will be eased from tomorrow will be in relation to attendees on track. Handlers and owners will now be allowed to return to the racetrack in addition to trainers who were always permitted throughout the COVID-19 racing schedule.

It is important for participants to remember that all racetrack protocols and biosecurity measures will remain in place - temperature testing will continue at the venue entry and social distancing on course must be adhered to. The current kennelling procedures and the staggering of boxing of dogs before each race will also remain in place.

All race clubs have been informed of the changes and of their responsibility to police the protocols on track, with clubs encouraged to have dedicated personnel employed to ensure that compliance around social distancing is met.

Clubs have also been instructed that if they traditionally have bookmakers on track, those bookmakers are now allowed to return.

We encourage all participants to download the Government’s COVID safe app, and to keep it on, in the background of your mobile device when at race meetings.