Vaccine exemption backlash: Novak Djokovic denied entry into Australia
World number one Novak Djokovic was denied entry into Australia after the decision to grant him a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination.
MELBOURNE: World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic has been denied entry into Australia on Thursday after the decision to grant him a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination requirements to play in the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic was sent to quarantine hotel in Melbourne after being detained by the officials at the border, whereas, the lawyers of the tennis star were not seeking an urgent injunction to allow him to stay in the country.
Djokovic, who has consistently refused to disclose his vaccination status while publicly criticising mandatory vaccines, kicked off the furor when he said on Instagram he had received a medical exemption to pursue a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam win at the Open starting January 17.
Djokovic travelled to Australia after receiving an exemption from the Victorian government. That exemption – the reasons for which are not known – supported his federal government-issued visa.
The announcement prompted outcry in Australia, particularly in tournament host city of Melbourne, which has endured the world’s longest cumulative lockdown to ward off the coronavirus.
The move by the Australian government to block his entry caused ructions between Canberra and Belgrade.
Serbian president had called it harassment of its star player, whereas, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at a televised media briefing, saying, “There are no special cases, rules are rules.” He added, “We will continue to make the right decisions when it comes to securing Australian borders in relation to this pandemic.”
Full hearing
Djokovic’s father told media in Serbia that his son was ushered into an isolation room under police guard when he touched down at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport at about 11:30 p.m. (1230 GMT) on Wednesday after a 14-hour flight from Dubai, Reuters reported.
A hearing in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia was adjourned until 6 p.m. after Judge Anthony Kelly said he had not received paperwork from Djokovic’s lawyers.
The court has reserved a full hearing date for Monday for the case, but government lawyers have reserved the right to seek a ruling to remove Djokovic from the country before that hearing.
Nick Wood, a lawyer for Djokovic, told the judge that Tennis Australia had advised they needed to know about his participation in the tournament by Tuesday. In response, Kelly said “the tail won’t be wagging the dog here.”
Vaccine exemptions in Australia
The squabbling overshadowed the fact that Australia’s daily COVID-19 infections hit a record high for the fourth consecutive day, with new cases exceeding 72,000, overwhelming hospitals and causing labour shortages.
Under Australia’s federal system, states and territories can issue exemptions from vaccination requirements to enter their jurisdictions. However, the federal government controls international borders and can challenge such exemptions.
