COVID-19 PROTOCOLS (20 AUGUST 2021)
The NSW Government today announced additional rules in respect to the following restricted LGA’s of concern.
Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Cumberland, Blacktown, Parramatta, Campbelltown, George’s River, Bayside, Burwood and Strathfield and Penrith suburbs of Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, St Mary’s, North St Mary’s, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park and St Clair
Currently only authorised workers, as defined by NSW Health, who live in these LGA’s are permitted to leave or work within these LGA’s for authorised work. NSW Health has advised that Essential Personnel attending to horses for animal welfare needs (including feeding and exercise) are considered to be authorised workers and may continue to work.
Racing NSW has mandated that Essential Personnel who reside in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA are not permitted to attend racecourses or stables due to the high case numbers in that LGA.
Essential Personnel are advised to ensure they carry their Racing NSW Licence Identity Card to display to the NSW Police should they be questioned by police when travelling to work. If asked, Essential Personnel should provide this identification to Police and advise they are performing animal welfare work as an authorised worker.
Vaccinations – Restricted LGA’s
Effective 30 August 2021 the NSW Government has ordered that any authorised worker that works outside their restricted LGA of concern, must have had their first vaccination dose by that day or be at a work-site where they can be rapid antigen tested. As Racing NSW cannot guarantee that every authorised worker can be rapid antigen tested each day, any authorised worker in this category must have their first dose of vaccine by 30 August 2021 to be eligible to continue to work.
For example – a stablehand or trainer that lives in the Cumberland LGA and works at stables at Rosehill Gardens (Parramatta LGA) must have had their first dose of vaccine by 30 August 2021 to continue to be able to be considered an authorised worker and work at Rosehill Gardens.
Permits – Restricted LGA’s
From Saturday 28 August 2021, authorised workers from the restricted LGA’s of concern are required to carry a permit from Service NSW declaring they are an authorised worker and cannot work from home. Racing NSW understands this will be a self-declaration completed on the Service NSW website.
Curfews – Restricted LGA’s
Today the NSW Government announced curfews for the restricted LGA’s of concern, not permitting persons to leave home between 9pm and 5am. Authorised workers are exempt from this curfew and may leave home prior to 5am for animal welfare needs.
Permits – Leaving Greater Sydney
Essential Personnel who do not reside in the restricted LGA’s of concern may leave Greater Sydney for the purpose of work where they cannot reasonably work from home, which includes working at a race meeting. The NSW Government has advised that a permit system for regional travel will be required from 12:01am Saturday 21 August 2021. Whilst details of how to apply for a permit have not been released, it is understood that the permit system will be a self-declaration available on the Service NSW website or app. Participants should continue to monitor this site and complete the permit application if operational.
