Djokovic’s beliefs and habits have made headlines all through the pandemic. In April 2020, he mentioned he was against vaccines and that he wouldn’t wish to be required to obtain a shot with a view to journey. Simply months later, he and his spouse examined optimistic for COVID after he organized and performed in exhibition matches that flouted social distancing suggestions. In October 2021, he mentioned that questions on his vaccination standing have been “inappropriate.”

The match’s defending champion had stunned many Tuesday when he posted on social media that he had been granted an “exemption permission” to journey to Australia. However, as Melbourne’s Age newspaper first reported, it was not clear whether or not Djokovic had introduced ample proof to show his exemption purpose.

Beneath Australian legislation, foreigners touring into the nation will need to have a visa and be absolutely vaccinated. Tennis Australia and officers in Victoria, the place Melbourne is positioned, made comparable necessities for gamers who wished to take part within the Open with out first endeavor a compulsory 14-day quarantine.

However Australian immunization officers had outlined some momentary vaccine exemptions for its residents, which embody individuals who have had a PCR-confirmed case of COVID within the final six months. It isn’t clear if these apply to foreigners searching for to enter Australia, however tennis officers had pointed to those exemptions of their determination to permit Djokovic to take part.

That Djokovic was granted an exemption to play in Melbourne, which endured considered one of the longest lockdowns on the earth as Australia sought to maintain COVID circumstances at zero previous to widespread vaccination, triggered an enormous outcry within the nation.

Tennis and Victorian officers burdened his utility had gone by means of a “double blind” evaluation course of, however massive sections of the Australian public and media railed in opposition to the choice.

“I do not care how good a tennis participant he’s. If he is refusing to get vaccinated, he should not be allowed in,” former Australian Medical Affiliation vp Stephen Parnis wrote on Twitter.

Requested concerning the tennis participant’s exemption at a press convention on Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison instructed reporters Djokovic would wish to “present acceptable proof” for his declare that he couldn’t be vaccinated for medical causes.

“We await his presentation and what proof he offers us to help that,” Morrison mentioned. “If that proof is inadequate, then he will not be handled any totally different to anybody else, and he’ll be on the following airplane residence.”

On Wednesday, Morrison’s authorities indicated that they’d have a say on whether or not Djokovic can be allowed into the nation.

“Whereas the Victorian Authorities and Tennis Australia could allow a non-vaccinated participant to compete within the Australian Open, it’s the Commonwealth Authorities that can implement our necessities on the Australian border,” Residence Affairs Minister Karen Andrews mentioned in a assertion titled “Australia’s border guidelines apply to everybody.”

“No particular person competing on the Australian Open will probably be afforded any particular therapy,” Andrews mentioned.

Hunt, the well being minister, mentioned the foundations have been powerful however honest. “Australians have needed to do it powerful,” Hunt mentioned, “and Australians in many alternative states and territories have needed to present their vaccination data in some circumstances to enter premises and cafés and different issues, and it is not unreasonable to have precisely the identical requirement for all who enter this nation.”