COVID-19 pandemic threatens premier harness racing venue
One of the state’s premier harness racing clubs is facing the real prospect of an extended shutdown in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Macarthur
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One of the state’s premier harness racing clubs is facing the real prospect of an extended shutdown in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, after a steward potentially infected by coronavirus roamed freely at a recent race meet.
The steward, who had been in contact with Penrith Harness Racing Club employee which later tested positive to COVID-19, worked at Menangle race meet on Saturday night in the midst of dozens of people.
The virus can be traced to a passenger cruise ship which docked in Sydney, with the Penrith employee reportedly infected after being in contact with a passenger.
An hour before Menangle’s Tuesday night races was due to launch, the operation was halted following a directive from Harness Racing NSW
Club Menangle chief executive officer Bruce Christison said the impact of the epidemic could be far-reaching.
“It really opens up your eyes to how this works,” he said.
“People who don’t even know the person who has come back with the virus from this cruise ship, are now in this position where they could be impacted.”
Mr Christison said staff, trainers and racing involved in the Saturday night meet aren’t panicking about the risk of COVID-19 at this stage, due to strong social distancing measures andthe fact the stewards were generally isolated in a small room.
Club Menangle, which opened Menangle Country Club earlier this year, has been forced to put off 50 newly-hired casual staff as the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic hit home.
“It’s such a pity because we’ve just gone through that whole process to recruit them and to suddenly, through obviously no fault of (the staff), we have had to stand them down which is just a nightmare to be honest,” Mr Christison said.
The result of the COVID-19 test from the steward will be revealed on Thursday, with Club Menangle, and the entire harness racing industry, holding it’s breath.
“In this case, a negative result is a positive result and we can keep on racing hopefully,” Mr Christison said.