An estimated 70,000 racegoers have flocked to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup as Boris Johnson refuses to ban mass gatherings to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The Friday 13th festival has gone ahead despite fears of the deadly virus which has decimated this weekend’s Premier League football and international rugby fixtures.
The UK’s total number of coronavirus cases soared to 798 today, after 202 people were diagnosed in the past 24 hours.
Wales confirmed 13 more cases of the killer coronavirus this morning, with another 189 confirmed in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland this afternoon.
But swathes of racegoers were not put off by the threat – as well as cool weather – and they donned their best clothes for the final day of Cheltenham.
Huge swathes of racegoers were not put off by the coronavirus threat – as well as cool weather – and they donned their best clothes for the final day of Cheltenham
Racegoers arrive during day four of the Cheltenham Festival today. An estimated 70,000 racegoers are expected to flock to the racecourse for the prize race this afternoon
The festival has gone ahead despite fears of the deadly virus which has decimated this weekend’s Premier League football and international rugby fixtures
A woman uses hand a sanitiser disposer that is mounted at the racecourse. Race course boss Ian Renton said organisers have been careful to ensure the safety of fans attending the event
Racegoers as they arrive for day four of the Cheltenham Festival amid rising tensions with the Coronavirus epidemic in Cheltenham
British jockey and former track cyclist Victoria Pendleton (left) arriving for day four of the Cheltenham Festival today. She is among thousands still attending despite fears over coronavirus
Racegoers appeared in good spirits today as concerns over coronavirus grow across the country. It comes as The English Football League today called off all matches for three weeks until April 4 due to the coronavirus outbreak
Many put on their finest attire to attend Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestershire despite concerns over the virus. Some countries have banned mass gatherings but yesterday Boris Johnson said such measures were not needed yet
Large numbers of racegoers are flocking to Cheltenham today for the prize race of the festival – the Gold Cup
Many appeared in good spirits as they arrived at Cheltenham Festival today. It came after the PM introduced new measures to protect the elderly and vulnerable from the Covid-19 sickness. Anyone with even mild symptoms, such as a continuous cough or high temperature, must stay home for seven days
Thousands are expected to be at Cheltenham Racecourse today as the fourth day of the festival gets underway (pictured, punters arrive for the start of today’s races)
The Gold Cup is the prize race on the last day of the Festival and will take place at 3.30pm in front of huge crowds.
Peter Phillips, 42, and his wife Autumn, 41, who he recently split from, were among the Royal guests, while his mother Princess Anne also made an appearance.
Others to make the trip to Gloucestershire included pop star Lily Allen, TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, Made in Chelsea’s Ollie Locke and Georgia Toffolo, and Nick Knowles.
Race course boss Ian Renton, speaking to 5 Live Sport, said organisers have been careful to ensure the safety of fans attending the event.
He said: ‘We have heard from the government that racing does continue in this country and that the festival will continue to its ultimatum.
‘We have put the measures in place – as we said we would here – and we’ve been pleased to see the crowds enjoying some fantastic racing.’
Pop star Lily Allen smiles and waves her ticket around as she watches the festival on its fourth and final day on Friday
Made in Chelsea’s Ollie Locke (left) and Georgia Toffolo (right) are pictured sharing a joke during the races on Friday afternoon
Presenter Kirsty Gallacher watches the Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle during day four of Festival in Gloucestershire
Television presenter Nick Knowles is pictured during day four of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse
Racegoers arriving during day four of the Cheltenham Festival. It comes as concerns over coronavirus grow across the country
Racegoers as they arrive for day 4 of the Cheltenham festival amid rising tensions with the Coronavirus epidemic
Many donned their finest attire for another day at the races. The Gold Cup is the prize race on the last day of the Festival and will take place at 3.30pm in front of huge crowds
Thousands have arrived at the festival for the fourth day of races. The Gold Cup takes place this afternoon at 3.30pm
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stopped short of cancelling major sports events as yet – and the Cheltenham Festival will reach its conclusion with upwards of 70,000 expected to attend Friday’s Gold Cup (pictured, racegoers arriving today)
The festival is still going ahead despite concerns over mass gatherings. Organisers have put out hand sanitiser in a bid to stop germs spreading around racegoers
Tennis star Andy Murray’s mother was among those arriving on the fourth day of the festival in Gloucestershire today
Nick Knowles takes a selfie with racegoers during day four of the Cheltenham Festival. Thousands are at the racecourse despite fears over coronavirus
Adam Henson (left) and Nick Knowles (right) arriving for day four of the Cheltenham Festival
Others have expressed concern Cheltenham is still going ahead saying the gathering seems like a ‘terrible idea’ claiming that ‘punters are not only gambling on the horses’ (pictured, racegoers arrive this morning)
Hand sanitizers are put into place during day four of the Cheltenham Festival. A sign reading ‘don’t pass it on’ was placed above the dispensers
Horses on the gallops during day four of the Cheltenham Festival. The event is still going ahead today and yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister refused to prevent huge public gatherings including sports fixtures
Yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister refused to prevent huge public gatherings including sports fixtures and concerts despite Scotland and Ireland imposing or advocating bans.
But he told a No 10 press conference his Government is ‘considering’ scrapping large gatherings temporarily after he was accused of ‘complacency’ and ‘playing roulette’ with people’s lives.
Mr Johnson chaired an emergency Cobra committee, where it was decided to shift the UK’s tactics in fighting coronavirus from a policy of ‘containment’ to ‘delaying’ its inevitable spread.
The Prime Minister said he was following ‘scientific advice’ that ‘banning such events will have little effect on the spread’, but appeared to cow slightly to public pressure as he said he was ‘considering’ the option.
PM Boris Johnson, who said the Government is ‘considering’ banning mass gatherings to combat the bug’s spread
Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance (left) and Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty (right) at Downing Street
On Twitter, eager racegoers have said they are keen to attend despite concerns over the virus with one joking: ‘Off to Cheltenham, I’ve heard alcohol kills coronavirus so it should be the safest place in Britain today.’
One woman said: ‘Get Cheltenham out the way then its lockdown.’ And another said: ‘Excuse the pun but the horse has bolted. Had four days of Cheltenham, thousands been going each day, you’re not telling me none of them will have coronavirus. We are just going to have to ride this out.’
Others were more concerned, with one putting: ‘I wonder how many cases of coronavirus will arise from Cheltenham this week. Punters not only gambling on the horses.’
While another said: ‘Absolutely astounding (and alarming) that with so many sporting events and public gatherings being cancelled or postponed, the Cheltenham Festival is still going ahead. 70,000 people gathered in close proximity seems like a terrible idea.’
Sam Lissiaman, 20, who was getting ready to go to Cheltenham festival with his friends said he is not worried about using public transport.
He said: ‘Not many people take precautions on the trains but I’m not worried.
‘I wash my hands and use hands sanitizer as much as I can but I’m young and healthy. The train was rammed this morning.’
Some on Twitter were happy to see the Festival going ahead today despite concerns over coronavirus. While others were more concerned and feared it could lead to a spike in cases (above and below)
Mr Johnson said public advice would be expanded as he warned the bug – which has its tenth UK fatality – will continue to spread. He also said the most dangerous period is weeks away.
He called coronavirus the ‘worst public health crisis for a generation’ and ordered anybody with even mild symptoms – like a continuous cough or high temperature – to stay at home for seven days.
More than 60,000 spectators turned out yesterday for the third day of the Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestershire despite other countries banning mass gatherings.
Yesterday’s attendance was down by just 7,000 with many happy to ignore concerns over the deadly virus and use the Festival as an opportunity to let off a little steam.
Elsewhere, other races including Musselburgh and Kelso in Scotland, are waiting to discover if their meetings next week will go ahead – or take place behind closed doors – following Scottish Government advice to delay the spread of coronavirus by cancelling mass gatherings.