World No.1 Novak Djokovic may not be able to defend his 2021 title after his visa to enter Australia dramatically revoked on his arrival in Melbourne, amid a huge backlash over a vaccine exemption.
Djokovic was held in the airport for eight hours before border officials announced he had not met entry rules. He was then taken to a government detention hotel. As of now Djokovic and his legal team have successfully secured an interim injunction. A court will decide on his deportation on Monday. Till then, Djokovic is being housed at the Park Hotel in Carlton, ABC reported.
Reasons why Novak Djokovic’s visa could have been rejected
As of now, we do not know the details of Djokovic’s application and he has not made his vaccination status public yet. Earlier, some publications have indicated that World No. 1 claimed he contracted COVID-19 in the past six months. As per the guidelines, contracting the virus allows you to stay unvaccinated for six months.
Few reports also suggest that advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, dated December 14, 2021 — also states that two doses of a vaccine “are still required in order to be considered fully vaccinated” and past infection is not a contraindication to vaccination. It is also being reported by several respected Australian media publications that Tennis Australia was repeatedly warned that a recent COVID infection was not reason enough to grant quarantine-free entry into the country. The Federal Government had written to Tennis Australia to warn them about this very point.
It now appears that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) did not support Tennis Australia’s medical exemption process, a sentiment shared by the Australian Border Force. The reason for Djokovic’s exemption is unclear. However, it seems the border forces were not on board with the Victorian government’s process.
What did the Australian Border Force say about Novak Djokovic’s medical exemption?
Tournament organizers earlier said Djokovic had received a medical exemption to play in the prestigious tennis tournament. The exemption was met with controversy as Djokovic traveled to Melbourne on Wednesday. According to Australian news outlets The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Border Force (ABF) contacted the state Victoria government after learning of an issue with the visa submitted by Djokovic’s team while he was en route to the country.
“The Australian Border Force will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our laws and entry requirements,” the statement read. “The ABF can confirm that Mr. Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently canceled. Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa canceled will be detained and removed from Australia,” it added. “The ABF can confirm Mr. Djokovic had access to his phone.”
What did Scott Morrison say about Djokovic’s visa cancellation
Djokovic hasn’t publicly revealed his vaccination status. He has previously spoken of his opposition to someone “forcing me to put something in my body”. But in a news conference on Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he “didn’t have a valid medical exemption” to the vaccination requirement for all arrivals.
“Entry with a visa requires double vaccination or a medical exemption,” Morrison said. “I am advised that such an exemption was not in place, and as a result, he is subject to the same rules as everyone else. There are many visas granted, if you have a visa and you’re double vaccinated you’re very welcome to come here. But if you’re not double vaccinated and you’re not an Australian resident or citizen, well, you can’t come.”
