The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) wishes to advise that a contractor working at Flemington Racecourse on Derby Day and Melbourne Cup Day, and a patron who attended Cup Day have tested positive to COVID-19. Both individuals are fully vaccinated and the two cases are not linked.
The VRC is working closely with the Department of Health which has been very supportive of the Club’s COVIDSafe Event Plan and management of the two cases and the conduct of the COVIDSafe event of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The safety of all patrons, staff, racing participants and horses is the VRC’s top priority.
The contractor who tested positive worked two full days in The Arbour in the Purple Zone on the ground floor of the Club Stand. The Department of Health has advised the VRC that patrons and staff who attended The Arbour on Cup Day are considered at low risk. Based on this, patrons and staff are advised to monitor their health and get tested if they develop any symptoms.
The patron who tested positive attended the deck bar within the Green Zone on Cup Day and the Department of Health is in direct contact with the patron and their two social close contacts, who are also fully vaccinated. Patrons who attended the deck bar on Cup Day are being contacted directly via SMS by the VRC and staff have also been contacted.
Patrons are advised to monitor their health and get tested if they develop any symptoms. VRC is in contact with staff with recommendations for testing.
The two venues have been deep cleaned and will be ready for safe operation for Stakes Day on Saturday.
Any other patrons and staff who have not been contacted via SMS directly in relation to these cases are not considered to be at risk.
The VRC thanks all patrons and staff for their continued cooperation with COVIDSafe measures throughout the event and the Department of Health for its ongoing support. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on course tomorrow for Stakes Day.