Racing Victoria has become the first racing body in the country to suspend races due to the coronavirus, cancelling Wednesday's Sandown meeting and Thursday's meetings at Kilmore and Pakenham.
The announcement was made after the first two races at Sandown as a participant in RV undergoes testing for COVID-19.
The earliest return for racing in Victoria will be on Friday.
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In the statement from RV, the person in question has shown no signs off ill health but had potentially been in contact with somebody who has the virus in recent days.
"Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to advise that racing has been suspended within Victoria today, with immediate effect, and tomorrow whilst a licensed participant undergoes testing for COVID-19," it said.
"The participant has this afternoon been advised by health authorities that they were on the same flight as a confirmed case of COVID-19 when they travelled on 12 March 2020 prior to the introduction of strict COVID-19 protocols governing the conduct of racing in Victoria and the Federal Government’s announcements of 13 March 2020 restricting social gatherings.
"The participant is not currently displaying any symptoms of COVID-19.
"Those people who have had close contact with the licensed participant are being contacted throughout this afternoon.
"In the event that the participant’s test is negative, RV will be seeking to resume racing.
"A further update will be provided tomorrow on the progress of the test and whether racing can resume on Friday."
Since the announcement from RV, NSW Racing has made the decision to abandon the final three races of Wednesday's card at Warwick Farm.
A graphic on the Sky Racing feed said the postponement at Warwick Farm was due to 'health and safety precautions' after a NSW participant had come into contact with somebody with COVID-19.
More to come...
