That is how Southland Racing Club president Sean Bellew described how Christmas at the Races at Invercargill would go ahead under the new Covid-19 traffic light system.
The club is expecting about 6000 attendees — all needing to show vaccination passes — for tomorrow’s traditional meeting.
Bellew, who had signalled last month the club was thinking of introducing the passport for patrons at the event, said that after the Government’s recent announcement, it was the only way the race day could take place.
"We are going to funnel people through a marquee system where people who are coming in need to show their Covid-19 passport and some kind of photographic identification," he said.
"Then they get their wristband and the entire [racecourse] property is for them. They can go wherever they like."
All staff would be fully vaccinated as well, and popular events such as Fashion in the Field and the T-Rex race would go ahead as normal, he said.
About 70% of the tickets were already sold, but people who wanted to buy one needed to do so online as organisers required contact details of every person who entered the venue.
"This is part of our risk-assessment plan. So it is important to have all the details of everyone in case something happens."
Bellew believed there was an appetite for events, especially at this time of the year, as many others had had to be cancelled or postponed.
"We have a responsibility to the community and the economy as well, as this event injects thousands of dollars into many local businesses.
"We expect people to have a good time and have a jolly Christmas time."
