Victorian Racing Continues Despite Stage 4 Lockdown

DANIEL Andrews has announced that racing will continue despite introducing significant stage 4 restrictions to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

VICTORIAN Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that greyhound racing will continue despite the government introducing significant stage 4 restrictions to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at his daily press conference on Monday, Premier Andrews declared that the three-codes of racing would carry on due to the “very low risk nature” of the activities.

The Premier added that a cessation of racing over the next six weeks would present “some very significant animal welfare challenges” and that the decision to continue “is a compromise because of the very low-level risk it poses in spreading COVID-19 in our workplace.”

In responding to the news that racing would proceed, Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Chairperson Peita Duncan said that the decision can be largely attributed to the fantastic way in which the industry has conducted itself in recent months.

“The Premier has confirmed that racing can continue because of the very low-level risk it poses in spreading COVID-19 and because of how you have all conducted yourselves over the past few months; abiding by the rules and doing the right thing,” Duncan said.

“The right thing is to also keep yourself and your family safe and well. If anyone in your circle of friends or family is being tested it is important that you get tested as well. And don't go to work until you are confirmed negative.

“So, just to confirm, as racing continues all participants registered with GRV must travel directly to and from the track at which they have a greyhound racing or trialling.

“You cannot ‘stop and shop' or divert from driving to and from your workplace. These are the rules which allow us to keep racing.

“Travelling directly from home, to and from the track, wearing masks, and maintaining the strict distancing regulations, eating at the track, are critical.

“All protocols also apply at trials and at coursing.”

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