“I'm going to go to court. The Attorney General of the Municipality will make a request to the Justice to obey the decree,” said Crivella. State Government and City Hall announced the extension of restrictive measures related to the new coronavirus pandemic on April 30. The state extension runs until May 11 and the municipal extension runs until the 15th. This Saturday, the municipality's management sent an official note to GloboEsporte.com in which it said that "the event is not authorized" and that it would be "subject to the measures if applicable."
Nine races took place this Sunday. Therefore, Marcelo Crivella said that he will go to court via the Attorney General's Office (PGM) to veto horse racing. The director of the Brazilian Jockey Club, Marcelo Beloch, said, in an interview with GloboEsporte.com this Sunday morning, that the organization is in contact with the municipal and state spheres and that the resumption of the respects the governor's decree. In Jockey's understanding, this is not an event but a question of keeping the horses active, avoiding diseases.
“We had government authorization, and the health protocol was ready since April 16. All the employees who are already working at Jockey on a daily basis work in the race, there is no one else. And horses are athletes, they need to exercise. The Ministry of Agriculture regulates our activity. Can you imagine a horse locked in his stable for 60 days? It is an animal health issue. We have been talking to the government, both with the City Hall and the State, and they are aware of the races. They take place without any problem: temperatures measured at a distance, alcohol in all sectors, all wearing a mask, without an audience, without gamblers, the bookmakers closed, everything is done over the internet and by phone,” he said.
Saturday's City Hall statement added that: "Decree 47,282 lists essential services, which do not include horse racing. In addition, bets and transmissions of such races in betting shops are prohibited in order to avoid crowds." These locations, however, are closed, and bets can only be placed on the internet or over the phone.
In the official note sent to GloboEsporte.com, the City Hall also warned that establishments that do not comply with the norms established to contain the pandemic are fined with a daily fine in the amount of R$ 891.59 (US$162) and added that "they may still be interdicted and, in in case of disobedience, having a crime report sent to the police station and the Public Prosecutor's Office, and even having the license for a revoked establishment. In addition to the administrative sanctions applicable to each supervisory body, violators can be held liable for the crime of violating a determination of the public authority, designed to prevent the introduction or spread of a contagious disease, as provided for in art. 268 of the Penal Code."
The State Secretariat for Agriculture, Livestock and Supply sent a note on Thursday stating that, given the extension of measures to prevent and combat the spread of the new coronavirus in Rio de Janeiro, published in a state decree on 04/30, it would " follow the guidelines and suspend the authorization for the races to be held at the Jockey. With that, the activities on the site will be suspended until 05/11."
This Sunday afternoon, the secretariat sent a new communiqué to GloboEsporte.com in which it informs that "it is up to the portfolio to authorize only the receipt, accommodation and transit of animals at events held by the Jockey, aiming at their welfare. Therefore, after being questioned by the Jockey in relation to the specific issue, the Animal Defense Superintendence does not see any impediment in relation to its specific assignment: animal health, taking into account that the circulation of animals does not jeopardize the risk of contagion by the coronavirus.”
The statement added that "although it is not an assignment of this portfolio in relation to other authorizations, it is worth noting the fact that we are living in an absolutely atypical moment in public health, which demands an effort to fully comply with Decree 47.052, of March 29, 2020, which establishes measures to fight the coronavirus. In view of this, it is the sole responsibility of the horse racing director and other interested parties to fully comply with the legislation in force, in particular with regard to obtaining the necessary authorizations from all administrative, operational and public health bodies defined regarding the fulfillment of requirements established as essential to combat COVID-19."
Decree 47.052 establishes new temporary measures to prevent contagion and to deal with public health emergencies of international importance, resulting from the new coronavirus and "recognizes the need to maintain the emergency situation within the State from Rio de Janeiro."
In Brazil, there are states where races continue to happen, as is the case in São Paulo, with the Jockey Club of Cidade Jardim. They are carried out without the presence of an audience, but with online bets. The São Paulo Jockey Club says it follows the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and the State Health Secretariat of the State of São Paulo, such as the use of masks and gloves, alcohol gel and cleaning areas. Bets on physical counters, to avoid contact, are not taking place. There were matches this Sunday in São Paulo as well.
The Union of Trainers, Jockeys, Apprentices and Similars, Autonomous of Race Horses for Races, Sports and Services of the State of São Paulo expressed itself in favor of the continuation of activities in the club. In contact with GloboEsporte.com, a large part of the turf community showed support for the maintenance of activities.
Jockeys, directors, coaches and veterinarians guarantee that there is a need to continue the routine not only of the people involved in the sport, but also of the horses. Animals require special daily care and training so that they do not have any illness that can cause death - cases such as colic or laminitis. In addition, jockeys and coaches derive much of their income from racing.
There are races happening in other countries. It is even possible to bet online on them being from Brazil. In Asia, there is the example of the traditional Hong Kong Jockey Club. This Sunday, the Brazilian João Moreira, who has more than a thousand victories reported, was present in one of them. In the United States, races are being held in several states, such as Florida, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Germany, for its part, expects to resume races next week.
Source: Globoesporte
