AMBER Coomb considers herself one of the lucky ones.
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The stable foreman for Mitch Beer was informed on Wednesday that Racing NSW had ruled industry participants that lived in Victoria could no longer work at NSW stables.
Previous to Wednesday's announcement, Beer's Victorian staff had been allowed to work at his stables and live in Victoria via a special permit.
Coomb had two choices.
Relocate to Albury for a least the next six weeks or be faced with joining the unemployment queue.
Coomb said it was an easy decision to relocate.
"I wasn't overly surprised by Racing NSW's decision and sort of expected it really," Coomb said.
"From a financial perspective I only had one choice and that was to relocate.
"I suppose I'm one of the lucky ones in that I have been able to move in with mum.
"So on Wednesday I basically went to Wodonga and grabbed what I thought I would need for the next six weeks as well as my Jack Russell, Sally.
"But six weeks is a long time and I've got no doubt I will be glad to go back home at the end of it and mum will be happy to see the back of me."
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Seven of Beer's staff are based in Wodonga with all choosing to relocate.
Coomb said several of her workmates have had to move into rental accommodation in Albury.
"One of the girls had to leave her pets behind in Wodonga," she said.
"I think there is three girls with no family in Albury so Mitch has helped out and found somewhere for them to rent."
NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel confirmed on Wednesday movement of racehorses from Victoria into NSW is banned indefinitely.
The announcement came in the wake of the Victorian government's decision to send Melbourne back into lockdown to quell the latest Covid-19 outbreak.
Victorian-trained horses cannot head over the border to race anywhere in New South Wales, despite the fact the latest lockdown only affects Melbourne and one provincial Victorian area.
Racing Victoria issued a statement questioning the need for imposition of tougher restrictions in NSW.
An RV spokesperson said previous horse transport protocols had worked well during the height of the national crisis in March and April and horses can't carry the virus.
Despite the circumstances, Coomb was grateful that industry participants could still earn an income.
"It's not ideal circumstances but it's better than the alternative of not working," she said.
"There is plenty of people out there without jobs.
"Who knows we only need one outbreak in racing and it could be shutdown tomorrow."
