Every person entering a UK weighing room on a raceday will be required to present on arrival evidence of a negative Lateral Flow Test (LFT) beginning on Jan. 5, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Thursday. This mandate dovetails with the requirements introduced on Dec. 15, and is in response to the continued increase in COVID-19 cases. The LFT should be completed on each day of racing prior to travelling. Proper evidence of a negative LFT must be demonstrated either via the NHS App, or an NH text message or email address confirming the result. If the required evidence of a negative LFT is not presented, the person will not be allowed in the weighing room.
BHA Chief Medical Adviser, Dr. Jerry Hill, said, “Racing's COVID-19 mitigation strategy continues to focus on protecting our business-critical raceday personnel, whose absence due to illness or isolation may result in us struggling to staff fixtures.
“The introduction of mandatory pre-raceday lateral flow testing for Weighing Room workers is therefore another important step to help safeguard our people and the racing product.
“Vaccination remains an essential part of the fight against COVID-19, reducing the likelihood of serious illness; and combined with regular testing, we are taking the necessary precautions to minimise our chances of catching and spreading the disease in this core work environment.”
For more information and how to obtain LFTs, please visit the BHA website.
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