Rideau Carleton Raceway has announced the restrictions that it is putting in place during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

“Rideau Carleton Raceway remains committed to its horse racing community through this COVID-19 crisis,” Rideau Carleton Raceway racing manager Peter Andrusek has told Trot Insider.“To sustain our program, we require all our participants to respect the attached restrictions and obligations for everyone’s safety.”

In addition to the procedural steps, horsepeople are being told that effective Saturday, March 21, the backstretch and track will only be available to those stabling horses on site. The paddock will be off limits to all.

The breakdown of the Rideau restrictions appear below.

Rideau Carleton Raceway's highest commitment is to the health, welfare and safety of all our employees and horsepeople during this COVID-19 crisis.

WE IMPLORE ANYONE EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: FEVER, DRY COUGH, MUSCLE ACHES, TIREDNESS AND DIFFICULTY BREATHING TO STAY HOME AND CONSULT YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITY.

ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL ONLY

Only licensed persons with direct work requirements for horses listed to qualify or race will be granted permission to enter the backstretch beyond the main gate. Licenses must be available for presentation. Children under the age of 16 are now prohibited. There will be no exceptions!

We ask all participants to arrive no earlier than necessary to race your horse or stable.

SCREENING

All personnel will be screened before they are permitted into the secured paddock perimeter. Screening will include questions regarding previous contacts or symptoms. Clearance will be granted based upon those responses and the individual maintaining a temperature of less than 100.5 F (38C).

PRACTICES

• Please wash your hands multiple times at the facilities provided in the Paddock

• NO SOCIAL GATHERING — please practice social distancing.

• Please vacate the property no later than 30 minutes after all your horses have competed.

• Please do not gather unnecessarily in the paddock office.

• The paddock kitchen will only be available for take-out. No seating will be provided and no pari-mutuels will be available.

• Winner’s circle photographs are suspended; access to the van will be granted only in exceptional circumstances.

• UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANYONE ENTER THE SEALED GRANDSTAND PERIMETER INSIDE OR OUT.

CLAIMS

All claims should be prepared, enclosed in an envelope and provided to the paddock judge. Please ensure that your paper work is complete and payment is accurate or your claim will be denied. SEALED ENVOLPES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please allow additional time for administration to process the claim as the 30 minute post time deadline is still in effect.

TRAINING

Commencing Saturday, March 21, the backstretch and track will only be available to those stabling horses on site. The paddock will be off limits to all.

While inconvenient, these measures have been adopted for everyone’s protection to ensure racing continues. Be assured that anyone who refuses to follow proper procedures, and acts in a manner that may increase the risk of COVID-19 exposure or infection will be trespassed from the property without hesitation.