In order for horse racing to continue it is “critical that all members of our community are forthcoming, honest and self-policing during this time” said Woodbine Entertainment’s CEO Jim Lawson in a communication issued Sunday March 15.
This was in response to an incident at Woodbine Mohawk Park on the evening of Saturday, March 14.
Woodbine Entertainment had announced that in the interest of the wellbeing of customers, employees and horse people, it would be closing Mohawk Park and Woodbine Racetrack to the general public as a precautionary measure in limiting the spread of Covid-19.
The release states, “We also communicated that live harness racing at Mohawk Park and training at Woodbine Racetrack would continue with precautionary measures implemented for the safety of everyone involved. These precautionary measures include the closure of certain common areas, very limited and controlled access to the paddock or backstretch for licensed personnel only, and a thorough screening for all horsepeople entering the facilities. We are continuously reviewing the current measures and in the event they are tightened further, we will provide you with written notice.
These precautionary measures are critical for the safety of horse people and employees and to maintain training and live racing. It is also critical that all members of our community are forthcoming, honest and self-policing during this time.”
However on the evening of March 14, “an individual went through the mandatory screening at Mohawk Park and was not forthcoming in disclosing flu-like symptoms. Once symptoms were observed and reported to security, the individual acknowledged having flu-like symptoms and was asked to leave the property immediately and informed they would not be permitted back for 14 days. There is no confirmation that this individual has COVID-19.
Woodbine Entertainment cannot allow individual acts to place our community’s well-being and live racing at risk”.
Woodbine also released the following on Sunday:
All horse people entering the backstretch will be required to go through a screening as a safety precaution for everyone.
· Only essential licensed personnel and horse people will be permitted to access the backstretch area to care directly for the horses. We encourage owners to determine whether they need to access the backstretch during this time.
· Social distancing is being encouraged to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Common areas on the Woodbine Backstretch will be closed effective Sunday, March 15. The Backstretch Kitchen will remain open for take-out only. The dining area and bar will be closed.
· The common areas including the recreation room, dormitory vending room and Jake Howard Centre will be closed. Chaplain Shawn’s office will remain open during his normal hours.
· The race office will remain open, but short visits are highly encouraged.
· We strongly encourage all horse people to wash their hands frequently and utilize the hand sanitizer available in the backstretch kitchen, Race Office and Stable Office upon entering and exiting the property.
· Should trainers require hand sanitizer for their barns, please contact the Stable Office and we will access through the Woodbine supplier.
· Woodbine will not be able to cash horse people cheques during the Grandstand closure period therefore alternative arrangements should be made.
It is expected that there will be soon be recommendations announced regarding horsepeople who will soon be returning from winter stays in the US.
The OLG closed the doors on its casinos in Ontario but casinos and simulcasting remain open in some parts of Canada such as Alberta.
In Alberta, spring training continues at Century Mile, the season is set to begin April 25, and the Century Casinos in the province remain open.
The Hastings Racecourse casino has been shuttered by Great Canadian Gaming, which closed nine other casinos.
Assiniboia Downs remains open for simulcasting and the casinos in Manitoba are open. The track is scheduled to start its racing season on May 10.
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