Cheltenham stepping up hygiene measures to combat coronavirus threat

Cheltenham on Wednesday revealed a raft of measures to combat the threat of coronavirus at next week's four-day festival.

The track has increased the number of wash basins and toilet facilities on site and plans to make hand sanitisers readily available, as well as putting up posters with the latest public health advice.

In addition to posters around the racecourse, a similar public health message will go out to all customers in advance of the meeting.

A spokesperson for the racecourse said: “We welcome the government’s guidance that the business of the country should continue as usual, while ensuring we adhere to the latest public health advice.

“We have also increased staff numbers to ensure these facilities to ensure that soap and drying facilities are constantly available.”

He was speaking on Wednesday morning before 36 new UK coronavirus cases were announced, taking the total to 87.

Following the announcement of the new cases, Betfair's exchange market on whether day one of the festival will go ahead as planned was offering odds of 1.38 (4-11) for racing to go ahead and 3.55
(5-2) for it to be cancelled or postponed at 10am on Thursday with almost £2.4 million matched.

Coronavirus and racing: will the Cheltenham Festival be affected?

Whitty said he feared the virus could be spreading undetected in Britain and suggested the second phase of the government's action plan was imminent.

"I think we're borderline between the contain and delay stages," he said. "But many of the things you do to contain it can also delay it."

On Tuesday, the government unveiled its coronavirus action plan, which contains four phases: contain, delay, research and mitigate. The government is in the contain phase, with the focus on detecting early cases and preventing an outbreak.

The delay phase begins when the virus starts spreading and efforts are made to postpone its peak until nearer the summer. This phase could include restrictions on public gatherings such as sporting events for up to 12 weeks.

However, prime minister Boris Johnson said there were no immediate plans to introduce such measures, heightening confidence that the Cheltenham Festival, which begins next Tuesday, will go ahead as scheduled.

The Racing Post understands the industry steering group, which consists of the BHA, Racecourse Association and horsemen, will continue to monitor the situation, liaise with the government and plan for various scenarios.

A market on whether Aintree's Grand National festival will go ahead from April 2 was added to the Betfair exchange, with odds of 2.58 (8-5) that the meeting will go ahead and 1.62 (5-8) that it will not, with over £2,000 matched at 10am on Thursday.

Italy is the worst-affected country in Europe with more than 3,000 cases and on Thursday it was announced England's men's and women's Six Nations rugby matches against Italy, scheduled to be played in Rome on March 14 and 15, are set to be postponed.

All sport in Italy, including all Serie A games, will be played behind closed doors until April 3.

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