The following letter was sent to the Woodbine Racetrack horse racing community on Sept. 3rd:
As demonstrated throughout the pandemic, Woodbine Entertainment is committed to taking every reasonable precaution to protect the health and safety of our employees, horse people and guests from COVID-19.
As part of that commitment, and similar to the Government of Ontario’s new vaccine certificate program for guests that was announced yesterday, all horse people, contractors, and Woodbine Entertainment employees (including those who are currently working on our properties) will be required to provide proof of full vaccination (two doses and at minimum 14 days since receiving second dose) as a condition of entry to all of our properties, including the Woodbine Racetrack Grandstand and the Woodbine Backstretch as of September 15, 2021.
Horse people who do not provide verification that they have been fully vaccinated or those who elect not to disclose their vaccination status will be required to participate in the Enhanced Screening Program, which includes rapid testing (antigen) for COVID-19 at a frequency of at least twice per week (every seven days).
Anyone with questions regarding the benefits, risks and precautions for Vaccines should speak with their treating healthcare professional or review provincial educational materials regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario.
For the last several months, Woodbine Entertainment has consistently and strongly encouraged horse people to get vaccinated as soon they were eligible. Woodbine Entertainment also hosted two COVID-19 Pop-Up Vaccination Clinics at Woodbine Racetrack for members of the Rexdale community, residents in COVID-19 hot spots, the horse racing community, and our employees.
Horse people wishing to discuss accommodation for medical, religious, or other reasons, should contact Woodbine Entertainment Security.
Providing Proof of Full Vaccination
Here are the steps you need to take to provide proof of full vaccination before September 15:
As of Saturday, September 4, horse people can provide proof vaccination by email or in person.
Email:
Send an email to Woodbine Entertainment’s People Experience department at PXoptout@woodbine.com and attach an image of the paper vaccine receipt or a PDF of the vaccine receipt.
In Person:
Bring your paper vaccine receipt or a PDF of the vaccine receipt on your phone and provide it to a licensed paramedic at one of the following locations:
Woodbine Racetrack Grandstand – Gate 10 (Back of Hall of Fame)
Open seven days a week from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Woodbine Racetrack Backstretch – Security Office
Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Proof of Vaccination and Provincial Vaccination Document/Receipt
Only valid documentation, including official vaccine receipts from the jurisdiction you were vaccinated in, will be accepted as proof of vaccination. Only vaccines approved by Health Canada will be accepted for any out-of-jurisdiction vaccination documents.
If you were vaccinated in Ontario and can’t find your vaccine receipt, you can download it here or from the provincial booking portal, or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900.
More information will be provided regarding the process for the Enhanced Screening Program, including clinic locations and operating hours, and how to provide proof of vaccination after September 15.
All horse people who do not provide full vaccination status or chose not disclose vaccination information before September 15 will be enrolled in the Enhanced Screening program and will be contacted by Woodbine Entertainment Security via phone or email to confirm enrollment and to review program requirements.
Vaccination Requirements for Guests
Yesterday, the Government of Ontario announced that guests must provide proof of full vaccination to access certain businesses and public settings, including horse racing venues and casinos, as of September 22. We will be providing more details on exactly how this will work in the coming weeks.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding as we work towards creating the safest working environment possible for everyone.
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