The Ontario Racing tracks are committed to keeping Ontario’s racing participants safe and healthy. In order to conduct live racing in the province without spectators and minimize any potential concerns with respect to the health and welfare of participants in the sport, the following minimum standards will apply to all persons who require access to the backstretch and/or paddock of any Ontario racetrack.
a.Access to the backstretch/paddock will be limited to
essential personnel only who are licensed by the AGCO and meet all applicable track rules and regulations, specific to access to racing restrictedareas.
b.All participants must wear face masks at all times when in the backstretch/paddock. Persons requesting access are required to bring their own face masks and wear same at all times. No person without a face mask will be permitted entry. Any person found on track premises without wearing a face mask will be ejected from thetrack.
c.All drivers, jockeys, and individuals performing warm up duties for horses into race will be provided change facilities that include the opportunity for adequate social distancing. If tracks cannot provide the space drivers, jockeys and warm up personnel will be required to change outside backstretch/paddockareas.
d.Each person entering the track premises will be subject to a screening process prior to be granted entry. As part of the screening process, all participants must answer the following questions:
1.Have you or someone you have come in contact with travelled or returned from any country outside of Canada?
2.Are you experiencing, or have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 7 days:
- Fever
- Cough
- Muscle Aches and Tiredness
- Difficulty Breathing
3.Have you been in contact with anyone who is or has experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 7 days:
- Fever
- Cough
- Muscle Aches and Tiredness
- Difficulty Breathing
Any person who answers “yes” to any of questions 1 – 3, or who is displaying visible signs of illness consistent with COVID-19 exposure, will be denied access to the track.
e.Personswhoanswer“no”toallofquestions1–3willbesubjecttoatemperaturecheckusinga no-touch thermometer. Persons with a temperature of less than 100.5F will be permitted to enter; persons with a temperature of 100.5F or more will be denied access to thetrack.
f.Eachtrackwillensurethathandwashingand/orsanitizationstationsand/orequipmentare available to all persons attending thetrack.
g.Each track will implement enhanced cleaningprocedures.
h.Each track will ensure that physical distancing guidelines are in place. Personnel will be required to maintain a physical distance between them of not less than 2 metres. Only 1 person shall be permitted in the paddock per horse, and horses should be placed in every other stall in the paddock where possible/required. Horses/handlers should vacate the paddock within ½ hour of racecompletion.
i.Access to the retention area will be controlled and horsepeople will be required to complywith CPMArequirements.
j.IntheeventthatatrackbecomesawarethatapersonwhohastestedpositiveforCOVID-19has been in attendance at the track, the track will notify all employees and participants who may have been exposed. The track will ensure that the infected person does not re-enter the premises until (i) at least fourteen (14) days after the positive test,
and (ii) the person is able to provide evidence of a negative test. The track will encourage any person who may have come into contact with the infected person to be tested for the virus and will follow any guidance provided by public health authorities.
k.WhereaparticipanthastravelledoutsideofCanada,he/shemustprovideproofofthedateof their arrival in Canada, as well as either (i) self-isolate for not less than 14 days upon their return, or (ii) provide a copy (or other proof) of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of arrival in Canada.
l.Each track will ensure that these requirements are communicated to its personneland participants.
COVID-19 Racetrack Protocol Minimum Standards
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