Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt has explained the decision to deny Novak Djokovic a visa that would have allowed him to defend his Australian Open title.
The Australian government decided last year that all players entering the country must be fully vaccinated against COVID or be granted a medical exemption.
Djokovic has decided not to take the vaccine, but he had successfully applied for ‘exemption permission’ before travelling to the country.
When he arrived, though, he was detained at the airport before it was announced his visa had been cancelled.
Few details are known at this point, but Hunt has tried to shed some light on the decision by saying Novak Djokovic did not provide sufficient evidence to legitimise his exemption.
“Australians have had to do it tough and Australians in many states and territories has to show their vaccination record in some cases to enter premises and cafes and other things,” Hunt told Sunrise.
“It’s not unreasonable to have exactly the same requirements of all who enter this country. So fair and equitable for all, and the requirements were not able to be met.
“There was an exemption that had been provided through the Victorian Government process.
“Clearly, that did not pass the standards of proof that were required by the Australian Border Force.
“Yes, it’s tough but it is fair and equitable and it’s one rule for all under this Australian Government.”
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