The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) welcomed the British government’s plans to ease Covid-19 restrictions across England later this month.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on July 5th that nearly all existing restrictions would be lifted by the 19th of this month. These include measures of social distance and rules regarding the use of a face covering in certain areas.
The restrictions will remain in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with decentralized governments making their own judgments and plans regarding the ease of restrictions.
BHA President Annamarie Phelps gave the following testimony:
Everyone involved in our sport has been looking forward to this news for thirteen months and have worked tirelessly and with great patience to keep the show safely on the road in this time.
The 19th of July will be a significant time for all sports, and a lot for British racing.
We are currently working with our industry colleagues to consider how this might apply to racing and how our race days will work therefore from July 19th, and we expect more clarity from the government.
About BHA
The British Horseracing Authority, also known simply as the BHA, is the regulatory authority for horse racing in Great Britain.
It was formed on July 31, 2007, after the merger of the British Horseracing Board (BHB) and the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA).
Its stated goals are as follows: “to provide the most attractive and attractive races in the world; to be seen as the world leader in horse racing regulation; to ensure the highest standards for the sport and the participants, on and off the racecourse; promote; the best for the racehorse; and to represent and promote the sport and the industry.”
It is a member of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities. The current president of the BHA is Annamarie Phelps, who succeeded interim president Atholl Duncan in office in 2019.
