Novak Djokovic is not allowed to enter Australia. The record winner of the Australian Open will apparently be missing this year. But the case of the Serb raises some questions.
At 11.30 p.m. local time, Novak Djokovic landed in Tullamarine, a suburb of Melbourne, where the international airport of the Australian metropolis is located. He has not seen more of the country this year. The Serb is not allowed to enter, his visa has not been recognized by the state of Victoria. Djokovic, the makes a secret of his vaccination status, stayed at the airport all night and probably wants to appeal the decision. A government attorney announced that he should have a postponement until Monday.
Djokovic and his team haven’t given up hope yet. And there are actually a few unclear aspects.
The thing about the exemption
The reason for Djokovic’s entry ban is that, according to Australian Border Control, he failed to produce the necessary supporting documents to meet Australia’s entry requirements. His visa was therefore canceled.
It is surprising that Djokovic himself announced on Instagram before his departure that he had received a medical exemption. According to the BBC, 26 players and staff have applied for such approval. Unvaccinated travelers can apply for a permit for the following reasons: if they have heart problems, a severe mental illness, a severe vaccination reaction with the first dose – or an infection up to six months ago. It is not yet known what this applied to Djokovic at the time of approval. The latter would be most likely. This is granted by two bodies: the ATAGI, an Australian expert council, and a group of medical experts.
The committees approved a “handful” of these 26 applications, including those by Djokovic. As “The Age” reports, several people have already entered the country. Except Djokovic. The Australian medium relies on statements from employees of the tennis association.
The theory even emerged that Djokovic’s team filled out the wrong visa application.
Update 12:05 p.m.: As “The Age” reported on Thursday, Djokovic is said to have only received approval from a doctor. When border inspectors asked for more evidence, they received no more. But now the cases of the players who have already arrived are also being re-examined.
The politicians also disagree
What also raises questions are the different statements made by those in power. Victoria’s Sports Minister, Jaala Pulford, tweeted on Wednesday: “The national government has given us to support Novak Djokovic’s visa application to enter Australia. We will not provide Novak Djokovic with individual assistance in applying for his visa to participate in the Australian Open 2022 We have always been clear on two points: visa applications are a government issue; medical exemptions are a matter for doctors. “
Accordingly, the Australian border control is said to have asked to allow Djokovic to enter. Victoria did not comply with this request.
Then, a few hours later, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. Nobody is above the law.” After the state government had previously urged entry, according to Pulford, it now presented itself very strictly and demonstrated their own power.
All of these questions remain open and Australia has some educational work to do. There is now enough time for this until Monday.
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