Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison has said that if Novak Djokovic’s evidence of vaccine exemption was insufficient,the tennis player would have no choice than to be on the “next plane home”.
Also, Australians have reacted angrily to news that Djokovic will play in the Australian Open, after being exempted from vaccination rules.
It is expected that all players and staff at the tournament must be vaccinated or have an exemption granted by an expert independent panel.
Djokovic has not spoken about his vaccination status, but last year said he was “opposed to vaccination”.
Organisers say the defending champion has not been given special treatment, but the decision has infuriated many Australians.
The country is seeing tens of thousands of Covid-19 cases for the first time after enduring some of the world’s strictest restrictions.
Over 90% of Australia’s over-16 population is fully vaccinated, but some people still cannot travel interstate or globally because of current measures.
Amid the controversy, Mr Morrison said the Serbian player would be required to present evidence upon arrival that he has a genuine medical exemption from vaccination. The
Australian Open begins on 17 January in Melbourne.
“If that evidence is insufficient, then he won’t be treated any different to anyone else,” the prime minister told reporters. “There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever.”