Djokovic Returns to Warm Embrace in Home Country of Serbia
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told an Australian radio station on Monday that Mr. Djokovic might be allowed to enter sooner under the “right circumstances.”
The minister for home affairs, Karen Andrews, said she had not ruled out an exemption.
“Any application will be reviewed on its merits,” she said.
Mr. Djokovic had presented evidence when he first landed in Australia that he was exempt from the nation’s vaccination mandate because he had been previously infected with the virus.
As soon as he landed, however, his visa was challenged by border agents and then revoked by the government. Mr. Djokovic appealed that decision, and a court ruled in his favor.
The Novak Djokovic Standoff With Australia
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How it started. The standoff began when Djokovic received an exemption that would allow him to defend his Australian Open title. Upon arrival, federal officials said he did not meet the requirements for entry because he was unvaccinated, and canceled his visa.
But just four days later, the Australian government revoked his visa again. This time, the government did not challenge Mr. Djokovic’s visa on technical grounds.
Instead, it argued that his decision to remain unvaccinated was in itself a danger since it might inspire others to resist inoculation.
On Sunday, the court found in the government’s favor, and within hours Mr. Djokovic had left the country, traveling first to Dubai and then onto Belgrade.
Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/17/world/europe/novak-djokovic-australian-open-serbia.html