As the BHA continues planning for the sport’s resumption, it announced on Tuesday that 72-hour declarations will be implemented for all races from June 1 until further notice.
On Friday the BHA is expected to publish the fixture list and race programme for the period June 9-30 and as with all other race planning, the exact timetable is based on the BHA’s best-case scenario for the intended resumption.
The BHA has set a date of no later than May 26 for protocols to be published of how racing will operate behind closed doors. The guidelines will safeguard the health of employees and participants and is aimed at everyone attending race meetings who will need to be aware of and comply with the new protocols.
Those attending fixtures will have to complete a mandatory online education module – COVID-19 Information for participants of the racing industry – prior to June 1 and those who have not completed the module will not be allowed to access a racecourse.
Trainers should ensure that their stable employee records for any individual attending a fixture are up to date as the BHA will need to communicate with them. Handlers will also have to upload the vaccination records of all horses declared to run to the Weatherbys vaccination app.
In its update, the BHA said: “Storing the records electronically will remove the need for manual checking of vaccination records and prevent any administrative issues on the racecourse, thereby assisting with social distancing.
“Once the vaccination history has been cleared by the BHA, all future and subsequent vaccinations between the pre-clearance and raceday should be uploaded directly by those responsible for the horse onto the Weatherbys vaccination app.”
The BHA is currently liaising with the National Trainers Federation, Professional Jockeys Association, and the National Association of Racing Staff regarding protective equipment for jockeys and stable staff, with an update to follow when these plans have been finalised.
