The Leader Newspaper By Andrew Atkinson May 17 will go down in racing fans diaries following the return of spectators for the first time in almost five months amid COVID-19 lockdown behind closed doors meetings. Carlisle, Redcar, Ffos Las, Windsor and Leicester stage meetings on May 17, with initial capacity limited to 4,000 or 50% after COVID-19 easing of restrictions. Masks are mandatory indoors, with certain venues notifying attendees that admittance is via ticket only, with cash payment not available to enter. On-course bookmakers will be back on tracks and drinking will be allowed, while seated at a table. Currently restrictions in England will last until at least June 21. Thereafter the government’s scheduled coronavirus programme is to see capacity crowds return. Hoeevrr UK PM Boris Johnson announced the new Indian variant of coronavirus could jeopardise plans.