There is no way to characterise the Novak Djokovic situation other than as a debacle. There are no winners out of this. Confusion and sniping between the state and federal governments has been emblematic of what has occurred since March 2020 in Australia and does nothing to enhance trust in either. The overturning of his visa cancellation will be celebrated by some and criticised by others.
The argument for his attendance is pretty straightforward. Notwithstanding the procedural issues, if you take it at face value that he was infected in December and so has at least some immunity to COVID-19, one can argue that with the other precautions required of players, and in the context of a highly vaccinated Australian population, the disease threat he poses to the community is pretty low.
This clearly does not fit into the spirit with which these medical exemptions are meant to operate. Here we have an individual who is ideologically against vaccines and vaccine mandates, and has made this very clear since the beginning of the pandemic. He has well and truly nailed his colours to the mast in this regard, publicly opposing vaccines and stubbornly refusing to confirm his vaccination status until recently.
Source: Entertainment Trends (entertainmenttrends.net)
DrHassanVally Just wish NoVax Djokovic would just p off back home! He’s lied about about everything Covid exemption based and putting people at risk for his own selfish gain! deportNoVaxDjoker
DrHassanVally Novak Djokovic is clearly attempting to circumvent the Aust immigration requirements. He has not been vaccinated and after contracting covid he refused to isolate, wear a mask and refrain from travelling. He lied on his visa application hence he should be fined and deported.
DrHassanVally In every shop or location I visit here in Australia I have to show my vaccination status and if I fail to do so I’m refused entry. However Novak Djokovic can come into Aust not vaccinated and play in the Aust open without being vaccinated. Where is the justice?….
Im sorry but why should I read an article on a legal decision by a non-lawyer?
DrHassanVally Read this to the end, to understand why this is probably not the right decision for Australia. Another bungling by the LNPfail government? But bureaucracy and TennisAustralia probably just as much to blame.
DrHassanVally It’s one Rule for ordinary folks & another for Antivax Superstar Novak Djokovic. Take a bow Australia! Here comes the Great Serbian Antivax ‘Messiah’ Novak Djokovic! Made possible by Tennis Australia & the Victorian Government.
DrHassanVally ScoMo and his border henchmen have been found to be as bad at securing borders as running ( Ruining) our Covid restrictions ( delivery)
DrHassanVally Meaning SCOMO has been handed a Golden Opportunity by the Judge, an “Election winner.” ………..No Matter how u try to explain it to Aussies, they see 2 sets of Rules in play Here and Will Back the PM, if He Deports Novak.
DrHassanVally Clearly Australian Open wanted best hard court player & winner of 9 Titles to compete. Money. Ratings. Garner even more prestige relative to other Grand Slams. However, don't believe they should have given him exemption w/o notifying government and preventing this debacle.