Update: Following additional information obtained from the Tasmanian Department of Health and their discussions with Victorian Health it is now evident that the potential risk for participants who attended the thoroughbred meeting at Launceston tonight of exposure to COVID-19 is LOW.
That being said whilst the earlier advice and request to self-isolate can be withdrawn it would be prudent to minimise interaction over the next 24 hours until clarity has been obtained on test results. This is in line with other racing jurisdictions.
Tasracing has cancelled tonight’s (25 March) thoroughbred meeting at Launceston.
CEO Paul Eriksson said Tasmania had been advised that one of the jockeys booked to ride at tonight’s Launceston meeting may have been exposed to an interstate jockey that had been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case.
“We have been advised that the interstate jockey was a passenger on a commercial flight on 12 March,” he said.
“A passenger on that flight has subsequently tested positive to COVID-19.”
Mr Eriksson said as a precaution, all thoroughbred racing had been placed on hold for 24 hours.
“A decision will be made on further race meetings by close of business tomorrow (26 March 2020),” he said.