The Japanese Racing Association is planning to partially reopen more of its Park Wins, Wins and J-Place off-track betting (OTB) facilities as from Saturday, 12th September.
All OTB facilities were closed in February due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic but in July these facilities began reopening.
The partial reopening will include several restrictions on opening hours, betting ticket sales and payouts. Races will not be televised and odds information will not be provided in the facilities while additional safety measures will be put in place in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
A number of the facilities will reopen in order to accept wagers on each feature race that takes place at all racecourses and races will be open to prior-day wagers. Other facilities will open to accept bets on races 9 through 12, and on races that are open to prior-day wagers.
Temperature and health checks for employees and mandatory use of face coverings and gloves for employees coming into direct contact with customers will be put in place in an endeavor to prevent the spread of the virus.
JRA will take temperature checks of customers prior to allowing them entry to the facilities, while face coverings must be worn and social distancing measures respected.
Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has traveled to regions or countries with government travel restrictions or those arriving from such places will not be permitted in the facilities for a period of 14 days.
Visits must be made as quick as possible, while chairs, media halls and smoking areas within the facilities will not be available for use.
Japanese racing will remain behind closed doors until at least 4th October 2020.