Until Wednesday, racing had been the last major sport still standing in Australia. Meetings have been conducted under strict biosecurity protocols and without spectators.

That changed when Sandown was called off following two races after Racing Victoria became aware health authorities had alerted the licensed person they had travelled on a commercial flight on March 12 on which a passenger subsequently tested positive to coronavirus. RV also called off two meetings on Thursday.

Racing NSW followed suit, abandoning the Warwick Farm meeting after five races and the Hawkesbury program set down for Thursday.

Wednesday's meeting at Ascot in Perth was called off with five races remaining and the Launceston program that night was also abandoned.

Leading West Australian jockey William Pike rode at the All-Star Mile meeting at Caulfield on March 14 while Tasmanian rider Anthony Darmanin was at last Friday's William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley.

The unnamed participant being tested had attended Saturday's Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill and travelled to Sydney by private flight to adhere to RV's travel protocols.

They are not showing any symptoms and if the results come back negative on Thursday, authorities hope to get racing up and running again the following day.

"As the interstate participant travelled in a private charter flight with two other NSW participants and to minimise the risk of participants at today's Warwick Farm meeting being exposed to COVID-19, the remainder of the Warwick Farm meeting has been cancelled," Racing NSW said.

"In the event the interstate participant tests negative, Racing NSW will immediately resume racing subject to any government restriction."

RV chief executive Giles Thompson said the licensed person did the right thing by contacting them as soon as they were told of their situation.

"We spent a lot of time putting protocols in place and educating the participants," Thompson told broadcaster racing.com.

"The participant has done exactly the right thing and we've been notified and everything we put in place has swung into action.

"The whole point of these protocols is to keep racing going and prevent potential exposures.

"But when you do have a potential exposure [it is important] to contact and trace as quickly as possible and identify whether there are others that have been exposed and deal with that us well.

"Unfortunately this exposure came before those protocols were put in place, 13 days ago."

The Sydney autumn carnival is scheduled to continue at Rosehill on Saturday. The meeting is to feature two group 1 races, the Vinery and the Tancred Stakes.

Top Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has Mustajeer, Danceteria and Mugatoo in the Tancred Stakes and Game Of Thorns in the Vinery. All four are Australian Bloodstock horses.

Mugatoo, a $6.50 TAB chance, drew the outside gate in nine on Wednesday. Mustajeer ($8.50) has two.

The Australian Turf Club was planning even stricter protocols than were in practice at the Slipper meeting.

Racing in New Zealand has been put on hold for a month while most European racing is also suspended.

In Asia, racing continues in Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore but not South Korea.