RACING NEEDS TO RESUME AFTER THIS LOCKDOWN

The UK must ready itself to remain in lockdown for a "significant period" of time as the death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic continues to soar, Michael Gove has warned.

Speaking on Sunday on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme via video link, the Cabinet Office minister said the peak of the coronavirus outbreak is dependent on people’s actions and refused to be drawn on an exact date for the lifting of current restrictions.

The Government had previously said it was committed to reviewing the lockdown in three weeks and relaxing it if possible.

Meanwhile, the number of people who have died with the virus in the UK has now reached 1,228 - an increase of 209 since Saturday.

"Everyone is making a sacrifice and I appreciate the scale of that sacrifice," Mr Gove said.

"But the reason all of us are making these sacrifices is because all of us will have people whom we love who are at risk from this virus.

"I can’t make an accurate prediction, but everyone does have to prepare for a significant period when these measures are still in place."

Wonders , totally agree with your findings . I believe the virus was here months before they started testing the infected . The statistics have been wrongly used to show something that does not portray the truth . Mark Twain had the right idea.....

Its a shame that statistics are quite likely to determine policy in this instance.

When did we ever see record numbers of death s recorded in one day for anything ? World war 2 or 9/11.

Its a shame that statistics are quite likely to determine policy in this instance.

When did we ever see record numbers of death s recorded in one day for anything ? World war 2 or 9/11.

spot on eye

Whenever anyone starts throwing about figures, be tbey statistics or just bignumbers to impress like millions of letters, you can guarentee they are bow lux. This world class advice and world class knowledge didnt stop boris and his mates getting it.

there isn't a test for "it" though irish
its a test to show presence of any coronaviruses in your system

a letter been sent to 30 million households in the UK this week to spread more fear

cost: £5.8m

funded by old faithful, the good old UK taxpayer

Its all designed as a smoke screen.
Actions often speak louder than words or statistics.
You can twist statistics how you want.
You can believe what you want to believe.
I have no faith in politicians because I know they are corrupt.
But when people start to dismiss the very obvious....
Like coffins piling up
New hospitals being opened up
Leaders catching it
Being told to stay indoors

You cant really argue that this situation is just the same as an above average flu outbreak

I haven't looked into the rest of the world but for the UK alone...where are the additional deaths that we should be observing if we are experiencing a pandemic?

even the authorities themselves say that death levels are in line with normal levels

Cause of death from coronavirus and dying with the presence of coronavirus are two totally different things yet they seem to be ignored and placed together to provide an increased death rate . There are so many flaws in the analysis . Wonder if the experts would be showing a profit on betfair ?

eyeball • March 29, 2020 4:51 PM BST
Cause of death from coronavirus and dying with the presence of coronavirus are two totally different things

this is exactly right eye

If only the politicians would listen to the experts on here.

if UK "covid-19 deaths" are increasing and total UK deaths are broadly flatlining, then that can mean 1 of 2 things:

(1) deaths not attributed to covid-19 are declining (unlikely)
or
(2) deaths not attributed to covid-19 are broadly flatlining but are being re-allocated to "covid-19 deaths"
ie somebody with bad pneumonia dies, is tested for presence of a coronavirus, they test positive, and cause of death is attributed to covid-19
hence the number of deaths hasn't changed despite cases of covid-19 deaths increasing

(2) is what is happening imo

Scott murray on his twitter feed theres an app u can download. 8pm monday poker tournament for the dog men. If any1 interested.

Hope evry1,s well.

JK needs to get a few people together , Start with Mark Wallis and Bird ,Do a special , get all the info regarding the Needs of Dog racing

And contact the Sports Minister , I really cannot see what Difference dogs at least being  allowed to trial can make , cannot be more than 10/15

needed for a trial session ?? Time slots allocated to kennels so as not to interact ??

Sit in the Van , dogs in dogs out ??

If the trial business works out , then perhaps a return to Closed racing Going forward ...

so this is not a significant event in our era and all some of you is want are the hounds to run so as you can gamble
well
words fail me
worry more of what will happen to the hounds that are deserted by owners that don't or cannot pay
and the keepers that wont cope
this seriously could be the end
feck the gambling try to stay alive and avoid is more important hence the restrictions feck the statistics next you will be telling me man walked on the moon
stay safe stay healthy

Wedge if they dont Run/Trial racing careers are finnished , we will end up with literally thousands of dogs needing homing

The dogs trust wont take them, I am not interested in betting at this time the thread was started Due to the Dogs and that

A couple of months down the road ,they will need to be homed ...

The whole industry is on the brink of Collapse many peoples livliehoods are in Jeopardy ,A month of not running although  not good

Will not be the  end ...

The needs of this Sport are specific , it needs to be taken into consideration regarding a total shutdown  ....

Depends what peoples need for a trial are?

To exercise the dogs or get a betting fix?

I see you have said the same , in 3 months time dogs will need to be homed we will be at the point of no return for many

Why would anyone be betting on a trial ??? 

The people who can need to raise the issues connected to our Sport , to the Sports minister , stipulating the specific problems ....

case take your point on board
but in light of circumstance the logistics of taking hounds to tracks would contravene safe practice

The world will be a different place after this finally ends and we will have to accept and adapt to these changes.

Mar 29, 2020 -- 6:33PM, ItsMeSwaddle wrote:

Depends what peoples need for a trial are?To exercise the dogs or get a betting fix?

Sorry point not made well....

Would you be trailing them to excercise them or with an aim for getting the show back the on road behind closed doors after 1/2 trials?

Wedge How many people need to take the Dogs to a track ??  2 ?

There are thousand on the Tube supermarkets lots of people attending handling goods etc

Its a case of Worse way trials , Or getting a plan into Action to Home the Older dogs who need to be homed

There will not be many dogs Over 4  not racing for 6 months that will be coming back .Possibly many younger

Is any one Doing anything is My question , All that ever Happens in this sport is Fook all is said followed

by Roaring and shouting and Finger Pointing ,by witch point the horse is in another county .....

Just keeping the Poor fookers Fit , would do swad never mind racing ....

Yeah I agree,

So a track with 1 "security/caretaker" letting people in and out.

Time slots of 1h a couple of times a week per track.

1 person at a time either proper trailing or just handslipping them?

And then another person on the clock etc if its official.

1 dog in and out the van at a time?

Surely better than what we have atm.

rather than the doom and gloom this could be an opportunity for all those greyhounds with niggles to have some recovery time without he pressures of a run and for many of the over raced pups a chance to mature naturally......many bitches have longer periods off for season.....its not impossible to keep dogs ticking over with gallops, multiple walks and for those with the facilities a swim.....im sure deals will be done with owners to have a reduced rate for the period racing is closed down.....long trial sessions will be under way when the tracks re-open and for those who have kept the weights in balance they may find it straight forward to resume not far from where they left off.......if i was a trainer i would aim for a mid-May return and organise the kennel accordingly......

same to you ph, not on pokerstars but might sign up for the game tonight

interesting...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P77bUdE4p4

1:07 especially

Walks where ? Your allowed out for 1 walk a Day , How will that work if you have 30 dogs in a Kennel ?? How many people will be needed to walk them

as opposed to loading the van once a  fortnight and taking them a local track ?? 

Of Course the GBGB have great plans :

“We have been in close contact with our rehoming charity partners, in particular the Greyhound Trust, who are on standby should greater number of greyhounds need new homes in an emergency"

Whaty Kind of a salary do you need to be to take the Above action ..

Do they  think the greyhound trust will be able to handle an influx of hundreds if not thousands of Dogs ??

Whats PLAN B , Slow boats to china docked up around the Country ???

Must be a few thousand pound has come free with not having to pay the City rent , Get that sent out ...

Who Mr Bird wants to be in Close contact with is our sports Minister,to explain the pending disaster ...

https://members.parliament.uk/member/4057/contact

Who I will be contacting to see if any one else has ...

This will not Go away because of 3 weeks Lock Down people will still be getting sick, for months  , hopefully numbers will have leveled off so as people

can be treated ....

Mar 30, 2020 -- 1:46PM, wondersobright wrote:

interesting...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P77bUdE4p41:07 especially

good find wonders,makes you wonder

Wonders wonder makes you wonder ...

He is not the Sports Minister anymore ,More reshuffles than Vegas

A woman called Caroline is now the sports Minister ....

Not for today or tomorrow, and probably not for a few weeks, but the question will arise soon. To play or not to play, to race or not to race?

Many will countenance none of it, understandably so.

People are dying of coronavirus and the infection levels have yet to peak, they will rightly point out. Heeding government advice and listening to scientists remains key and potentially life-saving for all of us.

However, there will come a time when sport will restart - in all likelihood behind closed doors. In the meantime leagues will be cancelled, major championships delayed or postponed indefinitely, perhaps even trophies handed out as they stand.

But long before other sports make that move, horse and greyhound racing will surely need to act given potential animal welfare issues.

The betting industry wheels need to turn again to look after our horses and dogs. They are inextricably linked and trainers and handlers need those wheels to turn to enable them to keep these wonderful athletes in top condition.

Mark Bird, managing director of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), effectively said as much last week when asked to comment on a number of tracks and their promoters outlining April 14 as a possible return date.

“I have been speaking to politicians this week and they understand the position of UK greyhound racing... and I have reiterated the need to get back to racing as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said.

Bird has been in regular contact with government bodies and politicians and says they are aware of the responsible steps greyhound racing took in the period after horse racing was halted, when the dogs became the only show in town.

And it worked. Social distancing measures even included loading the greyhounds into the traps at different times and handlers being kept apart at the pick-up. Unlike in horse racing, no medical help is required on-site. Just a vet.

All this should put it at the front of the queue of sports eyeing up a resumption, but in the short-term, greyhound racing can cope.

Tracks and their promoters are supporting the trainers on their strength with weekly payments depending on the number of greyhounds they have racing. On average this amounts to £5 per greyhound, per week.

Most trainers will be linked to certain tracks and those that are not - in the main smaller handlers or open-race trainers - will be afforded financial assistance from the GBGB. Again this will be due to greyhounds on the racing strength.

Of course, most trainers have retired greyhounds to look after as well - which might not necessarily fall into the above categories. There will be other ways to source help and funding here, but none of this is a bottomless pit.

A return to racing will solve a host of issues, not least in the revenue generated via online streaming and, of course, the prize-money payments made to owners and trainers which supports the greyhounds in their care. It is a circle.

Whether that comes on April 14 seems unlikely, but that was the date originally set out by a number of promoters, so there is a hope and willingness to get back to some sense of normality as soon as possible - again only on government advice.

Businesses and livelihoods depend on a return - as they do in the wider world, of course, and yet greyhound racing is almost unique in its requirements. In the meantime it’s about keeping safe.

Thankfully Something is being Done   Thanks to Hobbsy for the Update in the Life

I know I go on sometimes ,But I love this Sport  , and when you hear  fook all you begin to worry ..
the situation at the Moment is Dire , And putting the sport up as a major concern may seem Strange to some ,But it will not take a lot to finnish the Whole Industry  ,No body wants
that , A return to even Trials would Suffice in a few weeks , G luck to Mark Bird  and those
involved ....  On hearing the words greyhound Trust ,Alarm Bells started ringing .... Not that there is anything wrong with the Trust, I just had visions of Van loads of dogs arriving at there kennels ...

!4th April something has to get back going

Whether its handslips, trails or racing.

Imagine not restarting by May1st?

Just hope they can sort something .....

My daughter is in Germany, she has an App which tells her where the infected people are in her locality. If she goes out she is warned if there is an infected person approaching her. Scary but just shows how far advanced they are.

I have a person in my family working in the front line in a respiratory unit who still has not had a test and has had to plead for the proper protective clothing etc. Instead of clapping hands we need to listen to these people and take notice what they are telling us and to stop moaning about restrictions.

scandalous

To me they should of been given a rise, nothing huge just something to say thank you.

IE a further 1% income tax from everyone still getting a normal wage would be more than sufficient

1 NHS worker to 10normal workers assuming they are on the same wage enough to give all NHS staff 10% increase for 3 month.

Or anything rather than a clap.

Any one who seen the Towcester trail
Behind the traps that’s why won’t be any racing
It’s ****g crazy
Unless there NHS workers been tested
Why there won’t be any racing for while yet imagine

Looks good mind you
Drop off from hell imo
But maybe it hasn’t changed

Sparrow they are HEROES imo
They doing a job this ****g government don’t deserve imo
No ppe , no tests , means no going to work
Can’t walk around a site without ppe on
Even if just hand full guys no one working over head
ABOVE BEONG THEY ARE and care home workers

Apparently I have just been told that 4 doctors have already died here.

Yep
Pipe and slippers two weeks ago
Brown bread today latest one

all people in the nhs or private sector caring for people vunerable or ill command my respect and deserve admiration
and above all else protection
god bless each and everyone of them

Good thing is some of your big supermarkets are saving meat, bread ,toilet rolls and milk for them if they can prove they are in the health services.

Where did this all go so wrong???

The aussie boys are sprint racing on a morning for more than 10x as much as ours.

Average 8 race cards worth 13 odd k.

What are we gunna be racing at Towcester for?

Maybe,just maybe this disaster will focus minds on the really important stars of this industry,the dogs and people providing them. instead of bookmakers,journalists and sundry hangers on ? Not going to hold my breath waiting.

Another 3 weeks announced  Sounding more Like months , What is going to happen to the Cannon fodder dogs they have been firing round tracks ??

A high percentage will be unable to return, I think the Whole sport will need to looked at If and When it does return , With hundreds if not

thousands of dogs requiring Re homing The antis will have a Field day .. 

Make no mistake 3 months plus and this sport cannot return as it was there will have to be a complete restructure ,if Only down to the Loss

of Dogs , Perhaps a thinning out is what the Sport requires , With endless Bags racing being curtailed ..

We will lose trainers ,and I would expect even some tracks may well go under , There is a call for Breeders to carry on Regardless

If I was a breeder the last thing I would be doing is that , If the current Situation lasts more than 6 months  the outcome for our sport

Will be catastrophic  ..... We may Actually meet a point of no return ...

I believe restrictions will be Lifted after  two months at least enough to Race behind Doors  , They cannot Lockdown for much longer than that .....Lets hope the damage is not too bad ,Obviously there are more Serious Issues than dogs not racing ...

This virus is not going away , Spread it , Treat it ,Being the plan ..

There will be nothing positive about staying in Lock down any Longer than 2 months ....

the 1t4 that no horse racing will resume before may 1st was a steal an 1t5 still looks good

royal ascot is 1.28 no and that's on june 16th

1 meeting a day regional a/w racing with no crowd is possible in may doc

There will come a time when the Lockdown is having Little impact ,I agree with Wonders ..

All weather could resume ...

Regarding dogs the Numbers at a closed track are Few , will be pointless not letting

the sport resume , supermarkets still full every day must be a lot easier for people

to distance at an empty dog track ...... Makes little or no sense to ban the sport ...

When we have the Likes of the Sun HEADLINING   we have more Deaths than China , you really have to question the Value of any news Media .... 

No doubt the BBC will be adding to the Chaos at 6 pm .... What they need to be Doing is Adding a Zero or two to the Chinese total ..

I will not bank on it but the first measure for me is this, its quite simple.

There currently stands 4 meetings a morning.

Move it down to 2 ffs, people in the shops at this hour surely do not care whether the racing is Chinese, fake, virtual, UK whatever they will bet regardless?

By doing that aswell, if you run a 12 race card, surely there is absolutely no need for more than 3 sprints a card.

All depends on what we are left with it

Those involved in the New Tow Venture in desperate Straits

track has not had the best of Luck ...

I started a thread on Scene FOSTERING , it may be more like Homing  , Im sure there are many among the dog community Who will have a place for a stray should it all go Wrong ,I certainly will

Hopefully the Numbers can somehow be kept low ....

The Hardest thing about having a grey for a pet
, is Losing them

Heard there's been a call to end lockdown, or reviewed anyway

Boris' strategy may not be working with more deaths now than ever before

Then, there are the mental health implications with people scared and used to going out to earn their crust instead of staring at 4 walls

If the death rate comes down, it will probably rise again as people try to get back to normal and mix anyway

All this is not even mentioning the education system

you have been reading the guardian and their anti anything boris nonsense......its long odds on with me that the lockdown is extended.....probably hear next Wednesday or Thursday before the easter holiday....

Which newspaper should we ought to read then, winja?

all of them then make your own opinion rather than parrot repeat the shyte most of them publish....

winja.......I have my own opinion but I am not a medical expert and if there is a newspaper I care to trust then that is what I might quote. As to my opinion I believe that the government have not handled this well and people should listen to NHS staff and doctors dealing with this and stay at home and abide by the rules.

army should be shoot to kill if they see people in groups rd parks today
Took my dog out
Now I’m in til tomorrow for same again

Long people keep taking no notice longer where have to stay in

Sorry to be doom and gloom

...but I think we are in this for the long haul
...too many people been told the wrong things (e g facemasks)
...britain lagging behind in responses
...world debt massive in comparison to GDP
...economic depression just around the corner
...people wont have leisure money to chuck away
...greyhound stadiums not exactly at the forefront of strong robust businesses
...unlikely to survive

What they auto put on the
News
Is that video on what’s app

St Mary’s hospital BODY BAGS all over the place
No joke shock to system needs to go though
Our TVs make people think


Irish GDP means **** all if your 6 ft in the ground

One of London's most popular parks will be shut from tomorrow after thousands of sun worshippers breached Government lockdown rules.

Brockwell Park in south London saw more than 3,000 visitors over the course of Saturday, "many of them sunbathing or in large groups," Lambeth council said.

The council announced the news on Twitter, describing the revellers' behaviour as "unacceptable."

It tweeted: “Despite clear advice, over 3000 people spent today in Brockwell Park, many of them sunbathing or in large groups.

"This is unacceptable. Unfortunately, the actions of a minority now means that, following police advice, Brockwell Park will be closed tomorrow. #StayHome."

And by the way, the article above regarding the park closure was from the "London Evening Standard" that well known socialist newspaper!

So bored, in about 9 months, a new babys name will appear, Covid, be more popular than Mohammed is over East Ham.

Apr 5, 2020 -- 10:37AM, irishone wrote:

Sorry to be doom and gloom...but I think we are in this for the long haul...too many people been told the wrong things (e g facemasks)...britain lagging behind in responses...world debt massive in comparison to GDP...economic depression just around the corner...people wont have leisure money to chuck away...greyhound stadiums not exactly at the forefront of strong robust businesses...unlikely to survive

exactly right irish

I think there will be another Month

Closed doors will return then , no reason why it should not

Case do you think they will get straight on with pedaling the 140 races a day tosh?

sparrow your opinion is the same as mine.....the post from woody was not in line with those opinions.....he was referencing some knob who was recommending the herd immunity policy whose advice was correctly ignored........it was dangerous journalism from a paper that looks to stir issues for no better reason that countering the goverment....

I don't recall what woody posted winja but I prefer the Guardian to other newspapers and mostly because I am not a Tory and it is a serious newspaper. However, I'm pleased we broadly agree.

see another belter today sparrow.....school closures have little impact on spread of corona virus.......absolute joke.....no need to spread the discontent...

Winja......At the present time I am more concerned with my ex colleagues driving buses with very little protection. Having to handle money at the present time is a very dangerous exercise and after 36 years as a conductor and a driver I was really saddened to hear that 5 London bus drivers had already died of the Coronavirus. Drivers are unable to wash their hands frequently as advised and are having to plead for sanitising wipes amongst other  protective things to be issued so far without success.

my father was a bus driver for 27 years before retiring so again i share your concerns.....in London we have been using middle and end doors for getting on and off with an oyster reader but they were just in the process of stopping that because of the fraud......very easy to bring it back and shut the front doors during the crisis so they should shield off the first 2mts behind the driver and use middle and back only......not sure what its like up north but we have been cash free for a couple of years on the London buses.....cards only.....

Still handling cash in the North winja although there is far more non cash transaction nowadays.

Something to cheer us up as we see the sports greatest ever attraction.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy4wkZW0mto&fbclid=IwAR3-VmelCQ3iZdH1rCCcQvfFrQ3pvwUdREc3Ypkra7FgdA5OJCPqthuoL3Y

Is there anyone in authority on the greyhound front actually lobbying the government in the same way the BHA
are for a return for horseracing.
Would be interested to know who is doing anything and how it's all going.
Pretty quite and distinct lack of information.
I've long thought greyhound racing would need to restart , before any positives for the return of horseracing
would be seen.

You would  Imagine JK could have a special once every two weeks on RPTV , keep the community updated

Special guests etc could all be done from home ..Jk has put an update on the Post today  ::: Not sure how many of us at looking at the Post TBH
Last Info I got was from Hobbsie on the Life site ...

Closed doors plan set for when restrictions ease

BY JONATHAN KAY1:34PM 7 APR 2020

GBGB managing director Mark Bird is giving an emphatic nod to the UK government that British licensed greyhound racing will be more than ready to race again behind closed doors, as and when the current restrictions placed on society to combat the Covid-19 virus can be relaxed.

“We were quite literally the last show in town for UK sport whilst we raced behind closed doors, and it is our intention to be the first to return to that position” said Bird.

The GBGB has had a small industry-led working group planning how the sport can return to racing in a responsible but efficient manner. The group, which has been working on the return for the last few weeks, has looked at how tracks can implement increased social distancing controls whilst maintaining integrity and welfare needs.

“From conversations that I have had with DCMS and key politicians, they acknowledge that we took our responsibilities seriously whilst racing behind closed doors, but we know that there is still room to improve, based not least on any updated government advice.

"We have been looking at all preventive measures against contact between racing staff and trainers, as well as enhanced hygiene controls, in line with other industries' best practice guidelines.

"We have always been clear that returning to racing as soon as it is safe to do so is in the best interest of our greyhounds and their ongoing care. So, as well as these safeguards for staff and trainers and our wider communities, our plans are very much focused on the welfare, health and fitness of the dogs.

“A return to greyhound racing isn’t as simple as flicking a switch. Greyhounds - like any human athlete - will need to get back into training and racing safely following this pause. The working group is discussing how that can be best be facilitated and, where appropriate, we will look at certain dispensations. There is some real creativity in what the group are looking at, added into some very strict controls on social distancing.

“The reality will be that racing behind closed doors will most likely only provide a betting product to online customers in the short term as LBO's will likely remain closed, but the imperative here is to start racing again, as that will at least allow incomes to start flowing again to both tracks and trainers.”

The working group are hoping to have their operational plan ready for submission by GBGB to DCMS early next week, emphasising their focus on quality consideration rather than speed.

Bird said, “It is important to strike a balance between government efforts to control the virus versus a sound, responsible plan for greyhound racing's return once the green shoots of normality start to show.”


First welfare payment coming through to trainers
THE GBGB has now made the first of the welfare payments promised to trainers during the current pause on racing with a total of just over £240,000 being distributed for the month of April.

Over 500 trainers across the country are to benefit from the first welfare payment which is aimed at providing for the essential welfare needs of greyhounds in the short-term until racing can safely resume.

The monthly payment, which equates to £15 per greyhound, is being made for every greyhound in licensed kennels, not just for current racers, but also puppies and retirees.

In addition to this, many tracks have also announced their own contributions to help attached trainers through the lockdown period.

Duncan Gibson, the GBGB welfare and integrity manager, said: “This is obviously a worrying time for our licensed trainers who are working incredibly hard to continue to give their greyhounds the very best care at kennels up and down the country.

“With the cessation of racing impacting quickly on cash flow across the sport, we are pleased to be releasing the first of these monthly contributions today to safeguard our greyhounds’ welfare.

“While planning is underway to make a safe return to racing as soon as we can, we know that our emergency welfare payments need to be sustainable for whatever period of time racing is suspended.

“We are very grateful to stadia for making additional contributions which will help relieve the short-term financial burden on trainers.

“Like all industries, there will no doubt be some hard times ahead, but it is vitally important that the whole of the greyhound community pulls together and supports one another during this period.

“We are focused on delivering whatever support we can to our trainers, and our staff are maintaining regular contact to ensure that assistance is available where required.”

Racing off for until further notice
GREYHOUND racing will not take place in the UK for at least three weeks, and in Ireland until April 19 at the earliest, following government announcements.

The GBGB had paused racing following prime minister Boris Johnson’s initial statement to the nation on the Covid-19 pandemic, subsequently held an emergency board meeting.

GBGB managing director Mark Bird said: “We have suspended all greyhound racing at our licensed stadia in response to the most recent advice from the government – that everyone should stay at home unless for exceptional and essential trips.

“After advice from colleagues at Defra and DCMS, we can confirm that this cessation of racing will need to continue for at least the next three weeks and until further notice.

“Under the new government restrictions, DCMS has responded that ‘work necessity’ will cover the care and welfare of greyhound residential kennels. Racing would constitute a ‘gathering of more than two people’. Defra will publish specific advice in due course and we will share this as soon as the GBGB receives it.

“As the sport’s regulator, the welfare and care of our greyhounds is always our highest priority. We all recognise that it is essential that trainers can continue to travel to and from their kennels in order to feed and care for their dogs.

“But we can no longer continue to race, even behind doors, while the government’s advice remains at this escalated state in terms of social gatherings.”

Acutely aware of the financial pressure facing trainers, many of whom own a large percentage of the greyhounds in their kennels, the GBGB also announced support in that regard starting on April 1, while adding that the burden needed to be shared.

Bird said: “We’ve been very clear with government that putting a temporary stop to racing will have an immediate economic impact on those working in the sport.

“As previously announced, we will therefore be releasing funds for greyhound and professional trainers to assist them in the coming weeks to provide food and bedding for their greyhounds.

“This will constitute 50p per day per dog for each trainer and will include puppies and retired greyhounds, as well as current racers.

“This contingency eliminates – in the short term – any risk to trainers not being able to meet the basic welfare needs of their greyhounds due to loss of income.

“Eligibility for this support will begin on Wednesday, April 1. Our stipendiary stewards and office staff are currently working with trainers and kennel staff across the sport to determine the extent of the current need.

“We will communicate further later this week with details of how these hardship payments can be accessed.

“As well as these crucial welfare payments, we will continue to signpost trainers, veterinary surgeons and stadia owners, who all rely on income from our sport, to the government assistance packages being offered.

“Currently, this is not sufficiently accessible to the self-employed, but we will continue to urge the government to provide greater support in the immediate term. We are confident that this will ultimately be successful and would urge those who are self-employed in the sport to be ready to access what support is announced.”

The GBGB accepts that some people could be lost to the sport before any resumption with Bird saying: “We also recognise that – should the national social distancing measures continue for many months – trainers will be facing the unfortunate and regrettable position of shutting down their operations altogether.

“We have been in close contact with our rehoming charity partners, in particular the Greyhound Trust, who are on standby should greater number of greyhounds need new homes in an emergency.

“At GBGB we recognise our core responsibility for safeguarding the welfare of our greyhounds, but likewise we are clear that this is shared by all those associated with the sport – stadia, trainers, owners and the UK bookmaking industry.

“We are all prepared for the weeks and months ahead and are grateful for the way the sport has united in considering the way ahead.

“We will continue to keep the sport together through regular communication, through social media and through the friendships that comprise this sport at a personal level. We urge everyone in the sport to look after each other and our dogs. We will come through this and look forward to racing again as soon as is feasibly possible.”

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and British Veterinary Association (BVA) have told their veterinary members to reduce face-to-face contact immediately, switching instead to emergency care.

In Ireland, a government ban has also come into force until at least April 19.

Worldwide, a reduced schedule is continuing in Australia for now with racing regionalised and major venue Wentworth Park in Sydney amongst 70 per cent of tracks closed down.

Greyhound racing in the US states where it is still permitted has generally been suspended over the past week although, as of Monday, Caliente in Mexico is racing as normal.


GBGB advice on support that is available

The GBGB advice document for trainers can be found at   https://tinyurl.com/t7ss3o7

THE GBGB has issued guidance to trainers about the support made available to self-employed people and small businesses during the Covid-19 crisis which has halted all sport including greyhound racing.

Akin Yilmaz, GBGB director of finance, said: “We have been closely following the most recent government announcements and encourage everyone working with our sport to check carefully to see what assistance they may be eligible for.

“In order to make this process as easy and straightforward as possible, we have put together a support document, which we hope is helpful in signposting everyone - from SMEs to the self-employed - to the grants and exemptions available.”

GBGB managing director Mark Bird added: “While the support package for the self-employed is welcomed, there obviously remains a short-term need as this support is not accessible until June. “We will therefore continue to work with representatives across the sport to secure the right assistance for employers, employees and the self-employed in the short term.

“As a priority, to safeguard the welfare of our greyhounds, GBGB has already announced a contribution to our licensed trainers that will go towards meeting the basic needs of their greyhounds, totalling £3.50 per week per dog.

“Likewise, we are pleased that many tracks have stepped up to provide similar contributions to help support their attached trainers.

“We hope that in a few weeks’ time we will be in a position to review the suspension of racing, as per the government’s statement.

“Nevertheless we know these welfare payments need to be sustainable should we be in this position for many months. As everyone knows, we do not receive funding via a statutory levy from bookmakers but as a Board we have saved and planned for this eventuality and these contributions will prove vital to some trainers where urgent assistance may be required.

“Ultimately, we know that this is an incredibly challenging time for everyone across our sport, who will be concerned for their staff and families but who also want to ensure the very best welfare provision for their greyhounds.

“Over the coming weeks we will be doing all we can to provide support and advice to them through this time and to respond to the ongoing updates that come from the government.”

Stadia UK, which runs Poole and Swindon, has also offered support to their trainers by announcing a £5 per dog weekly payment. The company joins such as Arc, Ladbrokes Coral, Doncaster, Henlow and now Central Park too in doing so.

CENTRAL PARK on April 1 began paying its trainers £5 per greyhound per week support grant during the Covid-19 racing shutdown in line with a number of other venues including those owned by Arc, Ladbrokes Coral (£1 per day), Stadia UK plus independent Doncaster and Henlow.

Down the line a decision will be made on competitions like the Grand National and the Kent Silver Salver, which had been due to be backed by Colossus Bets.

I would imagine the emphasis should be to get dogs trialing , Distancing rules etc followed , If the People in charge see how that is being Done
they may realise the Limited numbers that would be needed for Behind Closed Doors , or at least may be made to understand the Benefit of trials
regarding welfare .. At this point Most dogs dogs will not have seen a track for a month .. The Pre-Racing Trialing  will be Major ...

I don't do politics. Just mentioned something someone had said. Don't think I agreed or disagreed with it. Talk of socialist right wing, left wing means nothing to me

All I know is ive been notified I cant leave the house for 12 weeks coz high risk and extremely vulnerable

PS I like Boris and wish him a speedy recovery

High risk and extremely vulnerable ?????  That was before covid19. 

Would Imagine another 4 weeks  , Will be behind Closed doors start of June the latest 

This cannot carry on as is , Lockdown will cause more damage than the Virus ,Restrictions

will have to be Lifted at some point ...

Would imagine a gradual lifting , 20/30 at an empty dog track  SD in place will be ok ..

Update from Hobbsie

Greyhound racing will this week present its plans to government for a behind-closed-doors return.

Although these plans will include no specific dates, GBGB managing director Mark Bird intends for the sport to show it can resume safely, allowing the wheels to turn again - crucial for economic recovery, especially when it comes to the welfare of greyhounds in the care of under-pressure trainers.

Greyhound racing was the last show in town before lockdown and Bird wants the sport to be the first back.

He has set up a working group which will present to DEFRA and the DCMS an operational plan including strict measures on social distancing and biosecurity to ensure the safety of trainers and track staff when the green light to begin racing again is finally shown. Even then, there will be work to do.

Special dispensations will be required to get the runners back on the kennel strength. There will be a balance between tracks being able to put a racecard together and ensuring the greyhounds are fit and able to compete, so a minimum number of trials will need to be decided on.

Of course trainers will be themselves ensuring their greyhounds are kept in condition with walking and, where possible, kennel gallops.

Bird wants the sport to be the best position possible to act as and when restrictions begin to be lifted, so the overnight news from Spain and Italy will give rise to optimism that a return to racing could be less than four weeks away. Both countries have eased some restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Time will tell how the UK reacts to the data and an announcement is expected later this week on the length of lockdown and/or an exit strategy.

In the meantime, the dogs will be well cared for ahead of a return to racing. The financial pressure on trainers has been eased by payments from the tracks they are contracted to and support from the GBGB, although longer-term the effect of all of this on owners - and prospective owners - is crucial.

A return to racing brings with it prize-money payments which helps with owners’ kennel bills. Even with financial assistance, trainers’ bills will be higher during this period and handlers have been quick to praise their owners who have maintained regular payments at a difficult time for all.

Additionally, a return will see betting revenue generated - again vital when it comes to payments into the British Greyhound Racing Fund (BGRF) which underpins the sport.

A new dawn
Somewhat ironically given the pressures faced by everyone in society, especially businesses, greyhound racing is about to see a new track open - or rather a former track reopen.

Towcester arrived in a blaze of glory in December 2014, becoming the first new greyhound track to open in 20 years. Within three it was staging the Greyhound Derby no less, with Seamus Cahill’s Astute Missile and then Kevin Hutton’s Dorotas Wildcat winning the sport's biggest event in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Both were great occasions, grand affairs with concerts after racing keeping the party going. Towcester had a touch of class, so missing in the years Wimbledon was barely hanging on as the home of the Derby. Towcester was a breath of fresh air, albeit even on the night of 2018 Derby Final things were unravelling.

Not long after, and because of myriad reasons not necessarily associated with greyhound racing, Towcester was placed in administration. The dream, it seemed, had died - so step forward Kevin Boothby.

The Henlow promoter, a huge greyhounds man, had been so impressed by Towcester on his visits to the Northamptonshire venue he bought the company! Okay, not quite, but a lease has been secured on the racecourse and he has set about righting the wrongs of Towcester 1.0.

Towcester 2.0 is different already. The racecourse stables are now kennels, with trainers Frank Gray and Tony Tuffin on site. More will follow and a kennel strength of 200 has been spoken about - with no travel required. That last detail seems the most pertinent given the current situation.

Before lockdown a May 23 launch date had been mooted for Towcester’s return. That looks unlikely now, although the track could still be in a better position than others to start racing. Unofficial trials have taken place, albeit with strict social distancing measures in place, and the changes to the track’s layout have been well received.

Built by the Hesketh family to stage eight-dog racing which would enable them to tap into international markets, criticism of the circuit centred on the track being too wide. The circumference has now been reduced, although Towcester will remain a Hove and Central Park-type running circuit.

Social networking while social distancing
Greyhound fans on Twitter have been treated to an array of information and activities to relieve any boredom in lockdown.

Recollections of past races, including footage and presentation pictures, continue to be popular but Romford’s Karen McMillan (@Romforddogs123) has proved ahead of the pack when it comes to a trip down memory lane.

Karen has been sifting through the boxes of memorabilia recovered from the track during its recent redevelopment, uncovering old racecards and pictures, and other history connected to Romford - including its staging of a boxing tournament in 1937.

Perhaps it underlines the need for a national greyhound museum or similar. Something else to consider when life returns to normal, whenever that may be.

apologies for going off subject case but sparrow in our earlier exchange about bus drivers from Monday all london buses will board from the middle doors only with the front doors remaining closed and passengers do not need to touch in their card or phone....thats because passengers using buses has dropped by 85% so fre travel no real issue during the lockdown......no mention of shutting off seats near the front but still a good move for driver safety.........

good news Winja

On topic I was talking to a trainer , I won't mention any names , I would say small to mediumKennel ,She has said at the Moment They are still managing to keep the dogs race fit

So that is some good news .. 4-6 weeks more till behind closed doors may not be as bad as I first thought regarding the dogs themselves .. Fingers crossed ..

case
I can echo that my trainer is keeping the hounds fit
and well fed it is easier now to get supplies

Great news Wedge , Hopefully 4-6 weeks BCD  racing might resume Fingers crossed , but as has been brought home on the forum today , there are certainly more pressing issues

Winja.......From today's Evening Standard.



A minute’s silence will be held to remember the 20 London bus staff who have died after contracting coronavirus.

The mark of respect, organised by the trade union Unite, will take place at 11am today.

The union said “far too many bus workers” have died during the crisis and the “danger has still not passed”.

Pete Kavanagh, Unite regional secretary for London, said: “Unite pays tribute to those bus workers who have died during the coronavirus pandemic and our thoughts are with their loved ones at this incredibly painful time.

"Their heart-breaking sacrifice, at a time of critical need, will never be forgotten."

A total of 26 transport workers in the capital have passed away from confirmed Covid-19 during the pandemic, Transport for London said, a rise from 21 - including 15 bus staff - earlier this week.


Twenty of these were bus staff, four from Tube and TfL railways, one from head office and one from a partner servic

Enhanced anti-viral cleaning is in force across the network, the mayor said, and protective film has been applied on top of the screens separating bus drivers from passengers to seal off holes.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said earlier this week that he was "heartbroken" by the deaths.

“My thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones at this very difficult time," he said. "This is deeply personal - I can’t help but think that this could have been my dad or his colleagues and friends.”

Mike Brown MVO, Transport for London’s Commissioner, said he was “utterly devastated”.

“It is an absolute tragedy and I can’t imagine the pain and suffering that their families and friends are going through,” he said. “My thoughts and condolences are with them all, and we are doing everything we can to provide support."

He added: “Their safety is our absolute priority and we will continue doing all that we can to protect them and our customers.”