Since the beginning of the spread of COVID-19 in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) has been proactively introducing a series of precautionary measures to protect its employees and customers so that Hong Kong’s racing can continue for the benefit of our society.  In view of the impact on race meetings by the new regulation announced by the Hong Kong SAR Government on the prohibition of group gathering of more than four people, the Club has applied to the Government for an exemption in accordance with the rules and procedures as stipulated in the Regulation. We have also explained to the government the effectiveness of its existing precautionary public health measures in the racecourses as well as the further measures that it is going to implement in response to the new regulation.

The Club is pleased to announce that the Government has granted an exemption to four race meetings from 29 March to 8 April. In accordance with the conditions attached to the exemption prescribed by the Government, the Club would like to announce the following arrangements for the race meetings to be held on 1 April, 5 April and 8 April.

1. Apart from trainers, jockeys, Club officials and Stewards with governance duties, only horse owners with starters with advance table booking approved by the Club will be admitted to the racecourses. Anyone who has travelled overseas within 14 days before the race day will not be admitted. They are required to fill in a health declaration form <download here www.hkjc.com/hd> and receive temperature screening before entry. They are also required to wear surgical masks during the race meeting.

2. To comply with the government’s condition that group gatherings in the Parade Ring should not exceed four persons, only one designated owner representing each horse will be allowed to enter the Parade Ring with the trainer, jockey and assistant trainer of the horse concerned. Special arrangements will be implemented in the Parade Ring to ensure that there is at least 1.5 metres social distance between groups of people inside the Parade Ring.

3. There will not be photo-taking for the winning horse and owners at the Winning Arch after each race.

4. The catering facilities in the racecourses will operate in full compliance with the requirements issued by the Secretary for Food and Health for the catering business. For example, each dining table will only accommodate not more than four guests and there will be at least a 1.5 metres distance between the tables.

The Club would like to thank horse owners, customers and the media for their understanding and cooperation.