Industry Update - 23 April

INDUSTRY UPDATE - RACING INDUSTRY TRANSITION AGENCY

Return to Training

This week the Government announced a return to Alert Level 3 from Tuesday 28 April 2020. We wanted to provide an update on the progress towards a resumption for our industry under Level 3 and gaining the necessary approvals.

RITA and the three Codes are working with various Government departments to finalise protocols for training, trialling and racing under Level 3 and beyond. 

This is the same process most sectors are following. We are making good progress, and Government officials are working hard to turn this around. Officials have the same team working on each protocol and are working on them in the order of thoroughbred, harness and greyhounds. We understand the process relating to thoroughbreds is close to completion.

Fundamental to our industry's approach is the need to ensure that the Government has confidence in our ability to operate safely before we can proceed.

Like other sectors who cannot work from home, industry participants can start to make preparations for returning to work. However, until at least next Tuesday, all preparation must be done in accordance with Alert Level 4 restrictions.

Through the racing codes, we hope to be able to provide the detailed protocols to participants for operating under Level 3 ahead of this long weekend.

We appreciate the desire for certainty as soon as possible and we can assure you, collectively, we are working through the steps as quickly as possible and will provide you further updates as soon as we have them.

More information on Alert Level 4 restrictions and transition from Alert Level 3 are available here -
https://worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/transitioning-from-alert-level-4/
https://covid19.govt.nz/latest-updates/new-zealand-be-at-alert-level-3-from-tuesday-28-april/