Woodbine Entertainment is ready for more safety on the premises of its racetracks which will be easily achievable with the help of a new policy directly affecting foreign and returning live races participants. Woodbine Mohawk Park has unveiled its fortified policies when it comes to Canadians that have also traveled abroad in the days ahead of the race they want to enter.
The unprecedented situation has mandated some strict measures when it comes to the people interested in horse racing, as well as for the horse people involved in it. Woodbine Entertainment greenlighted its 2020 racing season at Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park earlier this summer, but both locations refuse to welcome live spectators.
Woodbine Mohawk Park
Protection of the horse people is important for the horse racing leader of Ontario, which is why new regulations had to be implemented on the premises of the racetracks. Now that borders are no longer stopping individuals from traveling, the Canadian hotspots are ready for enhanced protection to be introduced.
There are going to be two approaches to this situation, both projected to be similarly efficient in the long run. The first one includes self-isolation once the individual has arrived in the country. Woodbine Mohawk Park makes it mandatory for both Canadians that have been abroad and foreigners to participate in live horse racing under the condition that they complete a 14-day quarantine period.
This self-isolation will have to come to an end ahead of 6 p.m. on the day which they have pinpointed as their first race day at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Once the quarantine period has been completed, they will have to successfully pass the mandatory screening process. In addition to that, the individual will also have to have a document proving their date of arrival into Canada to the Director of Standardbred Racing overseeing the live events.
Safety Protocols
The second approach would include the presenting of a receipt and proof of Quarantine Exemption at the Canadian Border, along with negative results on all needed tests. Obtaining the results from the tests in time for the live race is each individual’s personal responsibility. During the waiting period needed for the test results to be received, the horse person should not make their way to the Training Centers, as horse people protection is important.
In addition to that preparation period ahead of the live race, Woodbine Entertainment also unveiled special safety protocols for the actual race night. Foreign or returning Canadian drivers ready for Standardbred racing are obliged to wear face masks all the time while they are on the premises of the racetrack. Good personal hygiene and physical distancing are also a mandatory condition. They will also have a separate trailer for the returning individuals.
The renowned driver’s valet will also remain unavailable for better protection. Trainers, assistant trainers, along with the grooms returning from abroad will be allowed on the race paddock following a successful self-isolation of two weeks and/or a quarantine exemption along with negative test results. Ontario’s horse racing field has sustained itself during the lockdown and now it is time for the horse people to be especially careful.