RACING fans have been given the go-ahead to return to all FOUR tracks when lockdown eases next Wednesday.
Ludlow, Lingfield, Kempton and Haydock all fall into the Tier 2 level of coronavirus restrictions.
This means up to 2,000 fans or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is lower, can go to the tracks.
Barring two pilot events in September, this will be the first time viewers can watch racing again in person since March.
It also means fans will be allowed to attend the Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown on December 5.
And the International meeting at Cheltenham will welcome back punters for the first time since the Festival last March.
No racecourses are in Tier 1 – which allows up to 4,000 fans to attend.
And several are in Tier 3, which means no fans are allowed indoors or outdoors at a venue.
Despite this, the news that punters can watch the sport live again will be great for fans and on-course bookies.
And it raises the possibility of a decent crowd being able to attend Cheltenham Festival, which starts on March 16.
The government is set to review the tier system on December 16, so things could change after that.
But announcing the news today, health secretary Matt Hancock said: “We have looked at each of the tiers afresh and strengthened them.
“These decisions are not easy but they are necessary.
“Hope is on the horizon but we still have further to go. So we must all dig deep.”
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