NSW invites all connections back to greyhound tracks
In line with the easing of restrictions by the NSW government in relation to gatherings and movement around the state, Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) and the NSW Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) have announced that all handlers, trainers, owners and bookmakers will be free to attend greyhound meetings from Friday, June 5.
In accordance with NSW government regulations, racetracks, as licensed venues, will be allowed 50 customers per existing separate seated food or drink areas. The total number of persons is calculated by allowing four (4) square metres of space for each customer, excluding staff members, on the premises.
More importantly for participants, another restriction which will be eased from tomorrow relates to attendees on track. Handlers and owners will now be allowed to return to the racetrack in addition to trainers, who were always permitted throughout the COVID-19 racing schedule.
It is important for participants to remember that all racetrack protocols and biosecurity measures will remain in place and temperature testing will continue at the venue entry. Social distancing on course must still be adhered to. The current kennelling procedures and the four-wave method of boxing dogs before each race will also remain in place.
All race clubs have been informed of the changes and of their responsibility to police the protocols on track, with clubs encouraged to have dedicated personnel employed to ensure that compliance around social distancing is met.
Clubs have also been instructed that if they traditionally have greyhound bookmakers on track, those bookmakers are now allowed to return.