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With the July 11 resumption of racing activities to be contingent on the strict compliance with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)’s Safe Management Measures (SMM).
The Singapore Turf Club will be introducing a series of protocols for compliance by racing participants so that racing can be conducted safely behind closed doors under COVID-19 conditions.
Such measures include registering via 'SafeEntry' app before entering the Club, taking temperature at the security screening point, wearing of face mask, and maintaining social distancing of two metres. Racing activities will be conducted in a safe and expeditious manner from the pre-race holding area, parade ring, jockeys' room, starting gates and right till the end of each race.
To minimise risks and physical interaction, jockeys are to arrive not more than an hour before their first ride and to leave the racecourse after completing their last ride. While at the parade ring, only authorised Club's officials and trainers with runner(s) in that race with a maximum of one stable representative are allowed there. Besides wearing masks at all times at the starting gates, the crew will also be donning sleeve guards and gloves.
An adjustment will be made to the pre-race blood sample process to meet the SMM requirements. Since this particular racing operation involves a high density of people waiting for a long time within a confined area (pre-race holding area), it was imperative that the Club reviewed its parameters by reducing the time horses need to arrive at the pre-race holding area to 1 hour 15 minutes. With this adjustment, the pre-race blood testing will be done on the following Monday.
Horses and grooms will also be allocated alternate stable stalls to ensure safe distancing.
Prior to the current suspension of races due to COVID-19, up to 48 horses along with their respective grooms were required to arrive at the pre-race holding area 2 hours 15 minutes before their respective race.
This change in procedures is an interim measure which will be reverted to its original practice once the SMM are not in force.
