The racing industry was shut down for two and a half months but returned on June 14, albeit without spectators.

But 12 noon Friday saw entry restrictions lifted, allowing punters to return to racecourses subject to social distancing and personal hygiene protocols.

Tasracing chief executive Paul Eriksson said the change marked an "important step forward" for the industry.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

"We will still have the track marshals, we'll still have social distancing," Eriksson said.

"Temperature testing will remain in place at the weekend and be phased out over the course of the next seven days.

"We still have to look at the density rule - so one person every two square metres - but we're back, it is normal again, so it's a great result."

Eriksson said race meetings would largely look the same as before coronavirus hit.

"We're going to see a slight hit with our race field fees - we're anticipating that," Eriksson said.

"They were wavering prior to COVID under the influence of the point of consumption tax and we're just going to see what happens.

"We've put forward a three per cent increase in stakes and I think that's a sustainable and affordable increase."