On the day that the first death resulting from coronavirus was reported in Ireland, the country on Thursday put in place various restrictions on gatherings of large groups of people that are to remain in place until Mar. 29. Following on from those developments, Horse Racing Ireland announced that until that date, racing will take place without spectators.
In efforts to keep the number of persons on track at race meetings beneath 500, racecourse access will be restricted to essential service providers and industry participants. There will be no catering, on-course bookmakers or Tote services provided; one groom and owner per runner will be permitted on course; only trainers with runners will be permitted and all personnel with horses will be asked to vacate after their horses have run.
“It is important that horse racing acts responsibly and plays its part in the efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19,” said HRI Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh. “That is why we are announcing, with immediate effect, that horse racing fixtures in Ireland will continue between now and Mar. 29, but will be run behind closed doors with very restrictive access. Race meetings will not be open to the public, in line with measures taken by other international racing jurisdictions, such as France, Hong Kong, Japan and Dubai.
“Public health is the number one priority and these restrictions will continue to be kept under constant review as we liaise with our colleagues in the department of agriculture, food and the marine and the department of health.
“The restrictions which we are announcing today will limit social interaction but will allow a vital rural industry to continue to operate, protecting livelihoods and jobs.”
The German racing industry also revealed preventative measures on Thursday. The country's first turf meeting of the year at Cologne on Sunday will be staged without spectators, while Krefeld's programme on Mar. 22 will be postponed.
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