New Zealand Racing To Shut Down For A Month

ALL three codes of racing in New Zealand will shut down for at least the next four weeks beginning this Tuesday.

In a press conference on Monday morning, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that her government was adopting significant measures to stave off the COVID-19 outbreak.

Included in the nation-wide lockdown is the cancellation of all indoor and outdoor activities, the stage four measures seeing the government instruct people to stay at home except for essential services only.

As a result of these measures, all three codes of New Zealand racing will cease for at least the next 28 days from Tuesday.

It's understood that representatives of NZ's controlling bodies are identifying measures that can be implemented swiftly to preserve the livelihoods and interests of participants.

"While the country will effectively be in lockdown, the welfare of our animals remains as an essential service during this time," a NZ Racing statement said.

"Horses and greyhounds will still need to be fed, exercised and cared for during this time.

"People caring for our animals will need to look at stringent procedures around staffing levels and any contact between staff members. The codes will be addressing this in more detail tomorrow.

"We recognise that these are challenging times for everyone within our industry and we will be working closely with those impacted to help them through the coming weeks."