Thanks to the efforts of millions of Victorians who turned out to get vaccinated, a limited crowd of fully vaccinated racegoers will be able to visit Flemington on Derby Day.
Derby Day on Saturday, 30 October will now be the first Victorian event to be conducted as a Vaccinated Economy trial under 80 per cent double-vaccination settings on the Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan.
The Play On Victoria concert for close to 4,000 music fans at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl featuring Vika and Linda Bull and Baker Boy among others will be the second trial, to be held that evening.
Victoria is celebrating the removal of significant restrictions as a 70 per cent double-jabbed community – a reward for a stunning effort that has the state on track to becoming one of the most vaccinated jurisdictions in the world.
The Chief Health Officer has approved a fully-vaccinated crowd of up to 5,500 at Flemington for Derby Day under strict trial conditions including separate zones with dedicated course entrances, allocated seats, seated service of food and drink and mandatory mask wearing. The course capacity is around 100,000.
Flemington patrons will be required to prove their vaccination status either through their COVID-19 digital certificate displayed through the Service Victoria app, Medicare app, or equivalent smartphone wallet, or on presentation of a printed version of their certificate or immunisation history statement.
Victorians can add their COVID-19 digital certificate to the Service Victoria app through MyGov or the Express Medicare Plus App.
The Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, 2 November, will be held as a standard event under Phase C of the Roadmap if the 80 per cent vaccination mark is achieved by the first Tuesday in November as expected – otherwise it will be a trial event as originally designated.
Flemington will have 10,000 fully vaccinated patrons on course for the Cup, and if the 80 cent double-jab mark is achieved in time, also for Oaks Day and Stakes Day to complete Melbourne Cup Week.
As stated by Minister for Industry Support and Recovery and Minister for Racing Martin Pakula
“We’re testing the systems and support that will be needed for events as we open up further, and it’s great that we’re able to now bring Derby Day into these larger-scale trials.”
