Too Much or Not Enough
Pretty much everyone in the Country is slightly on edge, waiting for the moment they contract the dreaded virus, and license-holders are no different.
Since the pandemic started (an amazing two years ago) HRNZ have issued Order and Direction notices as to what was required and, as far as I know, the vast majority have accepted and abided by those directions.
Obviously now, with the new easily spreadable variant, things are different again. Since the whole thing started, I’ve heard various people say the restrictions are too tough, or not enough, which makes it a pretty much no-win situation for the powers that be. However, in my eyes, in this situation surely the onus should be on the individual instead of a governing body. To enter a racetrack you need to be vaccinated and log in, which is standard practice for any workplace. What is not compulsory is for employees or similar to have to be tested every time they turn up for work, as has been suggested.
In fact, the instructions attached to the test mechanisms stress that, unless you have symptoms, don’t take a test. I can only imagine the logistics and cost of having every person entering the course being tested, especially when it is not necessary. In their public notices, HRNZ has stressed that if you are unwell, stay away. If there is the odd individual willing to risk the health of their fellow participants and, worst scenario, the closing of the Industry, it is their fault, not the governing body’s.
Having recently attended a race meeting, I felt no concerns and neither heard or saw anyone with symptoms. It has been said that everyone knows there are people flouting the directions, which is not strictly true, because I didn’t.
For decades or more, people have been turning up to the races with flu symptoms and, while this is obviously more serious, the common flu can be fatal, and the same risks apply, yet no-one batted an eyelid.
Pete Cook