Top-ranked Djokovic arrived in Australia late Wednesday after receiving a medical exemption from the Victoria state government that would protect him from strict vaccination rules for this year’s first major tennis tournament, which starts on January 17.
But the border officials did not accept the exemption. The Australian Border Force issued a statement saying that Djokovic failed to meet the entry requirements.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said after the visa cancellation Djokovic’s medical exemption was reviewed by border officials, who “looked at the sincerity and the evidence behind it.”
The president of Djokovic’s native Serbia blasted the “harassment” of Starr, who was detained overnight at Melbourne Tulmarine airport. The 20-time major winner had to wait more than eight hours at the airport to find out if he would be allowed in. Country.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said no one is above the rules.
“Mr. Djokovic’s visa has been revoked. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders,” Morrison posted on Twitter. “No one is above these rules. While our strong border policies have been key to Australia, which has one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we continue to remain vigilant.”
Hunt said Djokovic is free to appeal the decision. “But if the visa is revoked, one has to leave the country.”
Australian media reported that Djokovic’s team had applied for the wrong type of visa.
Djokovic was designed to allow Djokovic to play at the Australian Open, regardless of vaccination status for COVID-19. He has spoken out against vaccines in the past and has consistently refused to admit whether he has received a shot against the coronavirus.
Djokovic’s father, Mrjan Djokovic, told the B92 internet portal that his son was “kept in a room that no one can enter” at the airport and was guarded by two police officers.
Djokovic’s participation in the Australian Open has been a hot political topic, with many Australians furious that he was allowed to enter the country.
Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Instagram that he spoke to Djokovic when he was detained at the airport. He added that the Serbian authorities are taking measures “so that the harassment of the world’s best tennis player can be stopped in the shortest possible time.”
Speculation of a possible issue with the visa surfaced while Djokovic was in transit and escalated with mixed messages from federal and state lawmakers.
Djokovic’s revelation on social media that he was going to Australia in search of a record 21st major title has led critics to question what grounds he may have for an exemption and supporters argue that he should be given the right to privacy and freedom of choice. Is.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tilly defended the “entirely legitimate application and process” and insisted there was no special treatment for Djokovic.
The Victoria State Government mandated that only fully vaccinated players, staff, fans and officials may enter Melbourne Park when the tournament begins.
Only 26 people associated with the tournament applied for medical exemptions and, Tilly said, only a “handful” was granted.
Acceptable reasons for exemption include serious major medical conditions, a serious adverse reaction to a previous dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or evidence of a COVID-19 infection within the past six months.
Djokovic tested positive for the coronavirus in June 2020 after he played in a series of exhibition matches which he organized in Serbia and Croatia without social distancing amid the pandemic.
It took a while for concerns about Djokovic’s visa status to circulate.
Morrison initially said the decision on medical exemptions was a matter for the government of Victoria, where Melbourne is the state capital.
“He (Djokovic) has given permission to come to Australia, and so we act accordingly,” Morrison said. “States provide people with freedom to enter on that basis, and it has been happening for the last two years.”
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews then clarified the boundary process.
“While the Victorian Government and Tennis Australia may allow a non-vaccinated player to compete at the Australian Open, it is the Commonwealth Government that will impose our requirements on the Australian border,” Andrews said. “If an arriving person is not vaccinated, they must provide acceptable proof that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons in order to have access to the same travel arrangements as fully vaccinated passengers.”
When asked again about Djokovic’s case later on Wednesday, Morrison said: “If that evidence is insufficient, he will be treated no differently than anyone else and he will go home on the next plane.”
This story has been published without modification in text from a wire agency feed. Only the title has been changed.
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