19/03/20 GRNSW CEO UPDATE – COVID-19

With the constantly developing issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Greyhound Racing NSW believes it is crucial to keep all participants up to date on all news involving the industry.

As such, we are encouraging all participants with questions pertaining to the COVID-19 situation, to email us here at GRNSW.

Each day I will do my best to answer questions from participants and publish them across our website and social media platforms around lunchtime.

If you have any questions, please email them to the following address: update@grnsw.com.au

Any important developments such as yesterday’s rescheduling of the Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg, will also be published in media releases across our GRNSW network as required.

Here’s what our teams at GRNSW are being asked right now, with the responding answers (and please keep in mind that this is both an unprecedented and fast-moving situation).

1.Q: Will GRNSW or GWIC start doing temperature checks on participants who are allowed into tracks?

A: No, not at this stage, however this is a rapidly moving environment, so this may change. If temperature checking is to commence, we will alert all participants immediately.

2.Q: I have recently been overseas but made it back before the government imposed the 14-day self-quarantine period. Am I allowed to attend race meetings?

A: While self-quarantining is not compulsory in this particular instance, we recommend you do stay away from race meetings until that 14-day period following your return has passed.

3. Q: Is there any advice on what trainers should be doing at home?

A: Our advice is simple to all: ensure that best practice is in place from a hygiene perspective and if you have any concerns in relation to COVID-19 please visit the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au.

4. Q: Are you watching what are other States doing and speaking with them?

A: As we do with numerous matters throughout the year, we are in regular contact with the other states, and GWIC and other racing jurisdictions are continually working together to address common issues.

5. Q: What is Government telling you at the moment?

A: Essentially what the general public is being told, and like everyone we are operating under the ever-growing information being supplied by Government.

6.Q: What happens if a trainer is found to have tested positive to Coronavirus?

A: They need to ensure that the appropriate health authorities are notified immediately and they will then enact the appropriate procedures and offer the up to date advice. If, or when, this happens, we will assess the situation from a racing perspective. Tentative plans are already being put in place.

7. Q: The ‘mass gathering’ is now 100 so does that cover the greyhound industry or is the greyhound industry exempt as it could be seen as a ‘work place’?

A: As directed by the Prime Minister on Wednesday, the mass gathering number for an outside event remains at 500. Should it be reduced in coming days or weeks, we will look at all alternatives so we can continue to race.

8. Q: My wife usually catches my dogs but because the kids cannot come to the track, she has to stay home with them. What can I do now?

A: Where appropriate, clubs can look to assist in providing support to trainers on racedays, with attendants and fellow trainers who are willing to assist, being given permission to do so, provided all health protocols, particularly around sanitising, are followed.

9. Q: Will National Adoption Day be going ahead at Wentworth Park on April 19?

A: No. All states have decided to postpone National Adoption Day and will work towards a rescheduled date later in the year.

10. Q: I understand racing is still going and that’s great but on a bigger scale of things do you see it being called off indefinitely and if so what would cause this and how long could it potentially last?

A: Our intention is to continue racing while it is safe to do so. As I have said throughout, we will be guided by the information supplied to us by the state and federal governments, and at present they have said we are able to continue racing.

Keep your questions coming in and everyone please stay safe and be vigilant.

Tony Mestrov.