Overseas connections face 14-day quarantine in Ireland as HRI reveals protocols

Any connections travelling with overseas runners to Ireland will be required to adhere to the 14-day quarantine period as outlined by the government.

That is one of the standout elements in a robust, 77-page document unveiled by Horse Racing Ireland on Saturday that outlines an extensive series of protocols as to how the sport will temporarily operate from June 8 onwards.

The governing body on Friday received government approval to return behind closed doors when the phase two lifting of coronavirus restrictions kick in on that date.

HRI's paper reveals strict regulations for those attending behind-closed-doors fixtures, building on the previous restrictions in place when Irish racing hosted ten such fixtures earlier this year.

Notably, though, jockeys, stable staff and trainers involved with international participants, including those from the UK, will be required to self-isolate in Ireland for two weeks before being allowed to race.

Full details of HRI's Covid-19 protocols for upcoming fixtures behind closed doors can be read here

On Friday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced people arriving into Irish ports and airports of all nationalities will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

A horse travelling over two to three days before a race who is to be stabled at the racecourse, can only be looked after by the trainer's staff if they have already completed the 14 days in self-isolation in Ireland beforehand.

It has been suggested that the government's quarantine regulations could see Irish jockeys face a two-week absence from Irish racing if travelling abroad to compete.

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh says this is an issue that will be discussed with government officials and other racing jurisdictions in due course.

Irish racing: will adhere to strict protocols when resumingCredit: Patrick McCann

He said: "I understand that is the case at the moment, but that's not related to the protocols. That is the government's instruction at the moment.

"Anyone coming from abroad, whether they're Irish or otherwise, must do that. It's a subject of discussion between the Irish and English government, I saw An Taoiseach comment on that in the last few days."

He added: "Obviously it's something we'll look at but our guidelines are rules that have to be in accordance with the laws of the land.

"We'll look at it. It's great to be getting stuck into those sort of issues and that is definitely something that has to be examined now. We're talking to our French and English counterparts and we'll obviously talk to the government in due course about it."

As was confirmed upon the announcement of Irish racing's return on Friday, only key personnel will be permitted to attend behind closed doors meetings and all personnel involved will be subject to health screening in advance and thermal temperature screening on arrival.

No crowds: the scene at Irish racecourses for the foreseeable futureCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Anyone showing an elevated temperature will be denied access and be instructed to consult with their GP, while social distancing will be strictly enforced by a dedicated Covid-19 protocol officer at each fixture.

A deep clean of all racecourse premises will be performed before and after every meeting, while those aged 70 or older will not be permitted to attend, meaning a number of high-profile trainers will not be able to attend fixtures.

Coverings/face shields will be required for jockeys, although they will have the option to remove them during a race.

Contact details for all racecourse attendees must be recorded on admission to facilitate contact tracing if required, with a health questionnaire required to be filled out in advance of attendance.

Kavanagh said: "It is incumbent on everybody in the industry to familiarise themselves with the new protocols, to partake in the upcoming webinars which will help bring these protocols to life and to ensure that the racecourse continues to be a safe place to work."

Jockeys: have the option of removing their face coverings during a raceCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Staff working indoors and those involved in security will wear face coverings, while stall handlers will also be provided with gloves, masks, hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes.

They are required to adhere to two-metre (for people) and three-metre (for horses) social distancing where possible, with trainers encouraged to have their horses well schooled in stalls to minimise the amount of time required for loading.

Starting stalls will be power washed with detergent and sprayed with disinfectant prior to and after each race meeting. There will be no showers, saunas or televisions in use in the weighing room, while jockeys will continue to base themselves from their cars during meetings.

Jockeys keeping a respectable distance ahead of the Madrid Handicap at NaasCredit: Patrick McCann

Riders are encouraged to mount their horses without a leg up, but should trainers assist their rider, they must sanitise their hands immediately afterwards.

Should a trainer be unable to attend a fixture, they may send one authorised representative in their place, while only one groom is permitted per horse running at a meeting.

Distance should be kept between runners at the start of each race and upon pulling up and post-race debriefs with trainers are to be avoided, with a telephone conversation suggested when racing is over.

Perspex screens are to be implemented in certain areas, such as around the clerk of the scales and valets' workbenches.

A designated isolation room will be provided at each racecourse, while there will be no betting facilities in operation at the race meeting. HRI says an industry SP will be provided.

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