The Racecourse Association (RCA) will be working closely with the UK Government to ensure the successful rollout of the new covid pass requirement after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a full COVID-19 vaccination would be required prior to entry at “venues where large crowds gather” beginning in October of 2021. Johnson was speaking on 'Freedom Day', the date when the majority of coronavirus restrictions were eased in England. Racecourses were allowed to begin hosting unrestricted numbers of spectators on Monday.
Prime Minister Johnson said, “I should serve notice now that by the end of September, when all over 18s will have had the chance to be double jabbed, we are planning to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather.
“Proof of a negative test will no longer be sufficient.”
In response, the Racecourse Association (RCA) issued the following statement: “The RCA notes today's announcement from the Prime Minister that as of Oct. 1, 2021, the Covid Pass is to be made mandatory for certain events in England.
“We welcome the fact that this inception date will allow all British adults to have the option of being double vaccinated.
“While we all sincerely hope the days of Covid restrictions are behind us, it is vital that horseracing and the wider sports/leisure economies have contingency plans to avoid commercially damaging restrictions being re-imposed but equally allow us to host safe events.
“Our immediate attention now turns to working with Government, stakeholder partners and member racecourses to understand the detail behind this plan and map out what will be a significant logistical operation.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
