In order to further prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus strain, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed that Australians should stop all non-essential domestic trips, while South Australia and Western Australia joined Tasmania and Northern Territory and Tasmania is essentially locking down their borders, imposing a 14-day self-quarantine period for anyone entering.

The two most popular states, Victoria and New South Wales, are set to implement full community lockdowns, closing restaurants and pubs, with schools in Victoria to close from Tuesday. Further measures are expected to be announced after Sunday's National Cabinet meeting.

Supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, petrol stations, convenience stores are set to remain open and freight, logistics and home delivery are also considered essential services and will continue.

In light of the latest restrictions, sporting codes, such as the AFL, have suspended their competitions until at least the end of May.

Thoroughbred racing continues for now, but Racing Victoria issued a statement saying it will be guided by the advice coming out of National Cabinet meeting on whether it will continue.

“We note that the National Cabinet is meeting this evening to further discuss domestic measures in the battle against the COVID-19 coronavirus,” the statement read.

“We’ll be seeking further guidance from Government and our medical experts following tonight’s meeting as to what any new measures, including recommendations around domestic travel, mean for Victorian racing and our stakeholders.”

The tighter regulations and insistence on essential services only remaining operational will also likely put further question marks over other aspects of the thoroughbred industry, such as sales events, including the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, which is due to be conducted at the Riverside Stables on April 7-8.

NZ to clarify racing status

The continuation of New Zealand racing will be discussed in the next day or so, with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing CEO Bernard Saundry, saying discussions were ongoing after Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern announced a four-tier alert system for the country.

"Following yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister regarding the introduction of a four-tier alert level NZTR has been working with the other codes to see just how this might look for our industry," Saundry said.

"There will be an NZTR Board conference call this afternoon and a further meeting with the clubs advisory group tomorrow morning. In addition to liaising with our fellow codes and the TAB we are also monitoring advice from government and factoring this into our decisions.

"At this stage the regulations which are in place are allowing us to keep our industry working, however please be aware that we may have to introduce further changes over the coming days. We ask for your patience, cooperation and understanding that any new regulations introduced will be brought in to ensure the continuation of racing.

The country is presently at Level Two and this includes the following advice:

- Further restrictions on mass gatherings

- Limit non-essential travel around New Zealand

- Employers start alternative ways of working (shifts; working from home; physical distancing etc)

- High risk people to remain at home (those over 70 or with other existing medical conditions)

"From NZTR’s perspective we have already implemented a travel ban on staff and, as of Monday, will have around 40 per cent of our office working from home. Accordingly we would ask stakeholders to, as much as possible, communicate via email during this time," Saundry said.

"There are aspects of this alert level which may impact further on the way we continue to conduct our race meetings and these, along with the possible ramifications should we move to Level 3 or higher, will be advised to stakeholders as soon as they are determined."

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia publishes COVID-19 guidelines

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia has developed some guidelines for industry to help breeders prepare for the effects of COVID-19.

US News

Courtesy of TDN America

Fair Grounds suspends meeting

In accordance with the “stay-home” order issued by New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, following public health concerns in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fair Grounds Race Course has suspended live racing operations effective immediately. The Fair Grounds Thoroughbred Racing Season was originally scheduled to run through March 29.

The announcement was made following the conclusion of Saturday’s G2 TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby card.

“Fair Grounds Race Course remains focused on the safety of members of the backside community who are vital to ensuring the care of the horses,” a statement read. “In compliance with the Louisiana Racing Commission’s emergency order, we are committed to facilitating their safe and customary movement to tracks outside of New Orleans. Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is dedicated to doing our part to help fight this public health crisis.”

NYRA winds back training to six days

Sunday training at Belmont Park will cease starting March 29, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) has confirmed.

The cutback to a six-day weekly training schedule comes in the wake of Thursday’s news that a Belmont backstretch worker tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The worker and his roommate, who live in a Belmont backstretch dormitory, have been in isolation since Mar.ch 13. That coronavirus diagnosis led to the indefinite suspension of live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack as of March 20.

Florida Derby purse slashed

Owing to the closure of all casinos and the elimination of on-track handle, officials at Gulfstream Park have announced reductions in stakes purses for the G1 Curlin Florida Derby and supporting undercard stakes March 28.

The Derby, which offers 170 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, has seen its purse slashed to US$750,000 from $1 million, while the G2 Kitten’s Joy Pan American S. and G2 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Oaks will run for US$200,000, down from US$250,000. The Cutler Bay S. and Sanibel Island S., originally US$125,000 events, will be contested for $100,000.

Europe and UK News

Courtesy of TDN Europe

All Party Parliamentary Group backs suspension of racing

The British Horseracing Authority has released, with their permission, a letter from the co-chairs of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Racing and Bloodstock Industries-Conor McGinn, MP for St Helens North and Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury–outlining their support of the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter reads, “These are unprecedented times that require the whole nation and government to work together to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. In dealing with the economic crisis that accompanies it, much has rightly been made of the urgent need for the government to support the leisure, hospitality, entertainment and retail sectors, and protect jobs. We are clear that the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people who rely on the horse racing and betting industries must represent a key part of that; from racecourses such as Cheltenham and Haydock in our constituencies, to training and breeding yards and jockeys, as well as bookmakers on high streets across the country. The financial security and jobs of the people who work in racing and all its component parts is paramount.

“As Joint Chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Racing and Bloodstock, we supported the difficult but correct decision to suspend racing. It was the only reasonable course of action to take for the public good, in the national interest and to preserve the longer-term reputation and positive image of our sport. We are now calling on the Government to recognise racing’s responsible actions by playing its role in securing the future and sustainability of our great sport, which makes such a significant financial, cultural and social contribution to our country.

“We will now, as always, be fully behind racing in the extremely challenging and uncertain times ahead.”