Racegoers in England given Green Light
Racegoers in England will be allowed to return to racecourses from Monday 17th May 2021 following the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement.
It was anticipated that racegoers would be allowed back to the track, however the Government have now confirmed that step three of the roadmap out of lockdown will go ahead as planner.
The BHA have also confirmed this however they are yet to provide any details regarding capacity limits and other protocols applied. The government’s guidelines set attendance for all but the largest sports stadiam at 4,000 spectators or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity, whichever number is lower.
The BHA have also confirmed that, while face coverings will still be required in the parade ring and indoors, they will no longer be mandatory in other outdoor areas on course and that racehorse owners will be allowed into the paddock from Monday.
The BHA’s chief operating officer Richard Wayman has said “It’s extremely exciting we’re finally able to welcome racegoers back to our racecourses. It will allow racing’s many fans to come back to the sport they love after more than a year away. We know there is a huge public demand for families and friends to meet up, outdoors, enjoy great food and drink and the unique social occasion of a race meeting. In addition, from next week, racing can once again offer our owners the opportunity to feel much closer to the action on a racecourse by returning to the parade ring. Racing’s leaders very much appreciate the commitment and patience shown by owners over the past year when their attendance and experience at racecourses has been restricted by the pandemic.”
The lifting of restrictions means that the Epsom meet for the Cazoo Oaks and Derby on 4th and 5th June will allow for paying spectators as well as the Royal Ascot meet later in June could potentially see up to 10,000 spectators.