UPDATED RULES ON RESUMPTION OF RACING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS – 18 AUGUST 2020

PRESS RELEASE


UPDATED RULES ON RESUMPTION OF RACING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS – 18 AUGUST 2020


Following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday evening (15 August 2020) that the Covid-19 restrictions in South Africa being relaxed to Lockdown level 2 regulations effective 18 August 2020, which in essence indicates a moderate Covid-19 spread with a high health system readiness. Our racing districts are no longer classified as “hot spots”. The NHA is pleased to announce further amendments to its current protocols.

• Riders Travel restrictions will be lifted. (Interprovincial travel allowed).

• The Racing Operators can determine the time of the last race, but the carded time of the final event should NOT be later than 21h30.

• The field sizes can revert back to normal as per the Racing Operator conditions.

The status quo as per the following rules remain effective:

• Owners are permitted to enter the racecourse subject to the strict protocols as issued by the Racing Operators and the Racing Association.
• Any persons with comorbidities shall NOT be able to attend a race meeting.

Further relaxations may be implemented in conjunction with the status of the Coronavirus pandemic, together with any positive changes to the Government’s adjusted risk strategy.

The NHA is again pleading to all participants to continue to self-regulate regarding prevention and hygiene practices. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has now reached its peak in South Africa, the scientific and worldwide statistics, have also shown a resurgence of the virus after same has been achieved in other Countries. Therefore, we cannot become complacent or abandon any of our health precautions that we know are necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. Individual responsibility will go a long way in assisting the South African Horseracing Industry to be in the position to be able to continue racing, thus creating value and the ultimate sustainability thereof.



Vee Moodley
Chief Executive

Should punters money be used to fund racing if punters are not allowed to attend?

Comorbidities is the presence of one or more additional medical conditions often co-occurring or co-existing with a primary condition. In the context of COVID-19 it refers to existing chronic diseases that could put people at a higher risk of developing complications if they are infected with the Coronavirus.

Bob Brogan wrote: Should punters money be used to fund racing if punters are not allowed to attend?

Sure it’s the same for all countries Bob ?

I don't see anything about Stipendiary Stewards compulsory reading of the rules and compulsory eye examination for these race officials - some recent riding and amazing results without any questions makes one wonder :evil:

I do hope these people start protecting the punter or soon they might be applying for that R350 grant when Racing closes down due to lack of interest

Will the lesser jocks in the smaller centres like KZN & PE still get a good kick at the ball?