Jockey at Woodbine tests positive for COVID-19

The Woodbine Entertainment COVID-19 Health and Safety Committee confirmed Thursday that an active jockey has tested positive for COVID-19.

Following Woodbine Entertainment’s COVID-19 Prevention Protocols, the jockey will not be permitted to access Woodbine Racetrack for a minimum of 14 days while self-quarantining. At the conclusion of the 14-day self-quarantine, the jockey will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to being allowed to return to Woodbine Racetrack.

Since starting live Thoroughbred racing in early June, Woodbine Entertainment has established and enforced COVID-19 Prevention Protocols that include limiting access to the Woodbine Backstretch to essential personnel only, daily screening, mandatory wearing of face coverings, extensive disinfecting, and contacting tracing and other protocols to manage any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 exposure.

In following these established protocols, contact tracing has been performed and individuals who were in close contact with the jockey who tested positive are being notified. Those individuals, who include one other jockey, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to being permitted to return Woodbine Racetrack. Contact tracing also confirmed that the jockey who tested positive contracted COVID-19 outside of Woodbine Racetrack.

As part of regular COVID-19 Prevention Protocols, the jockey room and other common areas at Woodbine Racetrack received through electrostatic disinfection following the conclusion of racing on Saturday, Nov. 14, the last day Woodbine Racetrack hosted live racing.

Considering the result of the contact tracing suggests exposure to the jockey who tested positive is limited, and with the confidence in the COVID-19 Prevention Protocols Woodbine Entertainment has established and enforced, and after reviewing with outside medical professionals, live racing will proceed today as scheduled.