| communication to igb re return to racing in Irish tracks and reply from Gerard Dollard - from the IGOBF Ger hope all is well with you and your family.
In light of Minister Creed response in the dail last week to Michael Lowry TD question, have you any further update since from Minister Creed as to why horse racing can proceed on the 8/06/20 and not greyhound racing? Outstanding issues that in my opinion need further clarification regarding return to racing protocols are as follows
1) Will all race night protocols as far as humanly possible be implemented for
A) Race nights
B) Public trial sessions
C) Private trial sessions 2) Will all protocols be implemented consistently within all IGB licensed stadia including privately owned tracks? 3) Will privately owned greyhound tracks have the same signage available to them as IGB owned stadia. 4) For all stadia including privately owned tracks we must establish a daily schedule for public and private trial session from the 8/06/20 keeping in mind that we will be in the summer months and the weather may not be suitable for trialling dogs mid day. A standard system for advance booking of all trials must be agreed as soon as possible. 5) Will all IGB hand washing facilities have hot water available? 6) In the event of an individual not been able to pay by card will cash be accepted? 7) Should communal wash down areas not be closed off to prevent post race gatherings and the risk of infection using hoses, buckets and dishes. ? I imagine that each owner / trainer should be advised to bring their own drinking and washing down water. 8) Pick up post race should be first two dogs past the post if you want to restrict the numbers at the pick up area as the first two greyhounds into the traps could be tailed off meanwhile the first two home could be collided into by the tail enders. If you are to implement this the IGB must ensure that the curtain is drawn in all tracks post race to prevent greyhounds from completing another circuit of the race track. 9) Can the IGB include in their protocols that every second car parking space is used only to aid social distancing. 10) Can the IGB also ensure that all metals surfaces including doors of the traps be sanitised after each race / trial. 11) Can you please ensure that all videos at all tracks only commence when the hare begins in motion and concludes by focusing on the infield clock when the last dog crosses the winning line? 12) Can the IGB attempt to avoid queuing as much as possible by staggering weigh in times and all trials public and private must be advanced bookings only. 13) As protective masks and gloves are not compulsory when entering supermarkets etc should this be included in the protocols for an outdoor arena such as a greyhound stadium. I would be particularly concerned about older people that have underlying health conditions. As all of the above are only my ideas and views from within the greyhound community, would you see any merit in having a Covid 19 war cabinet made up of professional people from varying backgrounds such as Dr David Mc Grath / Denis Breary MRCVS / Franz Mockler DOA / Trainer rep / Owner rep / Racing manager / Control steward to ensure that in a time of crisis we have all angles covered? Can you please advise of the implications of Covid 19 on SIS racing resumption? Finally is there any government support available for privately owned greyhound stadia particularly in light of a return to racing behind closed doors? If not what if any can the IGB contribute ? Hope to hear from you soon
Regards Damian. reply from Ger Dollard - igb Damian Thank you for your email and hope all is also well on your side. It is a surreal and strange time and one which we will all try to work through as best we can. In relation to the queries that you raise I would respond as follows: We have received no formal outcome to the various submissions that we have made in relation to resumption of greyhound racing on a similar date as horse racing. At this point we are resuming trialling on 8th June and still remain very hopeful that a resumption to greyhound racing activity will be permitted shortly after that date. Unlike horse racing we require to trial greyhounds in advance of compiling race cards so a week to ten day period is necessary for such trials. We are continuing to make our case, which we believe is very strong, to various parties and this level of activity will be maintained over the coming weeks. I would encourage all in the IGOBF to continue to be active in this regard. It is expected that there will be an announcement sometime next week in relation to moving to Phase 2 of the government roadmap and we await that announcement. An extensive protocol has been prepared in relation to the greyhound racing and trialling operation. These will be published in advance of trialling commencing and will apply to all trial sessions and race events. Protocols will be implemented consistently across the board and private tracks have been briefed in relation to the overall approach. A COVID-19 pack has been prepared for all private tracks which includes the following: O Signage Car park, weigh room, entry points etc.
O Sanitiser dispensers (3)
O Sanitiser refills. (6)
O Face shields (to be retained for use by control stewards)
O Face masks. (200 per track)
O Gloves. (400 pairs per track)
O Infra-Red Thermometer. (1 per track)
O 1 Counter-top perspex screen to facilitate payment of Entry Fees
O Acrylic screen. (Weigh room Area) Supplier details have also been forwarded to the private tracks to obtain refills/replacements if and when they are required. An intensive schedule has been compiled in relation to undertaking public and private trial sessions from 8th June next. This will be published on Talking Dogs shortly. An advance on-line booking system of all trials will also be launched simultaneously. Additional handwashing facilities are being introduced at the entrance to each track. These will be cold water only. All payments will be cashless with effect from 8th June 2020 and cash will not be accepted. Operating dual systems defeats the purpose of trying to eliminate the risk from a COVID-19 perspective associated with cash transfers. Communal wash areas are dealt with as part of the overall protocol. I am not sure that requiring each owner/trainer to bring their own drinking/washing down water would work in practice. If the required protocols are observed I do not envisage problems in this area. There has been a number of discussions regarding the introduction of a curtain and whether or not same would be operable. Curtains are not being introduced and the pick-up will be arranged in accordance with the published protocol. Again co-operation in this area should ensure that risks are minimised. In any event the momentary picking-up of a dog is at the low level of risk. Discussions have taken place regarding the management of car parking spaces. You will note that in supermarkets no such arrangements are in place and it is down to each party to observe the basic social distancing requirements. Our view in relation to every second car parking space is that the area in between becomes a natural congregating area for people exiting cars on both sides which effectively defeats the purpose. Sanitisation of surfaces including the doors of traps are included as part of the protocol. The issue regarding videos and the commencement and conclusion of same was put in place prior to suspension of racing activity. This message will be reiterated to staff on resumption. Owners, trainers etc should bring their own gloves a, masks etc to the track. In accordance with national advice these, currently, are not compulsory and it is down to the personal approach as to whether or not same are worn. The IGB is operating in accordance with the government directives and HSE protocols. That has been our approach from the outset and we do have qualified staff available in relation to Veterinary Director, Head of Compliance etc. Clarity is still require from SIS regarding the racing schedule on resumption. The approach with SIS is obviously contingent on bookie offices re-opening and the position regarding the UK resumption of racing. The videos only showing when the hare is in motion and then straight to time clock would be an issue with SIS. As Social Distancing will be observed parading then it should not be an issue. The parading would be different in as much the dogs would be presented then loaded in sequence behind traps. We should be able to see how UK are managing this on RPTV as they will be racing in advance of us. We are in ongoing contact with SIS regarding exact arrangements. Non SIS races are less difficult though it will impact on commingling as the audience begin betting as the greyhounds are being loaded. We will review how the pictures from the UK are being presented and make final decisions at that stage. The IGB has received no additional government funding in relation to compliance with COVID-19. We continue to operate within our original allocation. The Board has however agreed at its recent Board meeting to provide a special grant to private tracks for the period June, July and August to address the particular issues being experienced. I hope the above is of assistance and in the circumstances we find ourselves, look forward to receiving the co-operation of all greyhound owners and trainers with regard to compliance with the precautionary measures and protocols in place. I would appreciate further circulation of the protocols and precautionary measures within your own Federation when published so that all stakeholders are fully appraised of what is expected in advance of a resumption to racing activity. Yours sincerely, Gerard Dollard | Chief Executive Officer
Irish Greyhound Board
Green Park |Dock Road
Limerick
Tel: 061 448000
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