Pure B***shit: Novak Djokovic granted medical exemption to play at Australian Open

[JohnS]

6 minutes ago, Fuzz said:

So, if ND's visa is cancelled... does that mean he will also face the 3 year ban penalty?

Oh wow...what a great question! 😲

[Ken Gargett]

have to love Nadal. love to see him win the lot.

Nadal on Djokovic.

"The world has been suffering enough. Get vaccinated."

"If he wanted, he would be playing here in Australia without problems. He makes his own decision. Everyone is free to take their own decisions, but then there are some consequences, no?"

[Nino]

7 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

yep. and tennis australia had been clearly advised well in advance that a case of covid in the last 6 months would not be a reason for an exemption. they seem to have 'conveniently' forgotten that.

Yep - in black on white ...unforgettable :-)

[Nino]

A short recap of what happened so far .... while getting more popcorn ... :-)

You can't buy free worldwide publicity like this. Tennis Australia must be wetting their pants in excitement.

From the Herald Sun :

 

The Novak Djokovic drama has made headlines around the world — here are the answers to the biggest questions.

Why was Djokovic’s visa denied?

The Australian Border Force ruled that Novak Djokovic failed to provide sufficient evidence that he was medically exempt from requirements that travellers be vaccinated to enter the country. It is understood that Djokovic was relying on the fact he had contracted Covid within the past six months but Border Force does not consider this valid grounds for an exemption.


What is the difference between the medical exemption to play in the Australian Open and the exemption to come into the country?

The Victorian government and Tennis Australia announced on Wednesday that Djokovic had been granted an exemption to the state’s vaccine mandate, allowing him to compete for his 21st grand slam title. The exemption was granted via a two-step process; approval from a Tennis Australia panel and then an independent panel of medical experts set up by Victorian health authorities.

Officials said yesterday that 26 people including players and members of their entourage had applied for an exemption under this process but only a “handful” had been approved. They said that most applied on the basis that they had contracted Covid within the previous six months.

However, this process did not satisfy federal border restrictions which demand a medical exemption, and not a previous Covid infection, as grounds for an exemption.

“Tennis Australia, as I understand, said that he could play. That is fine, that is their call but we make the call of the border and that is where it is enforced,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

Does he have grounds to appeal?

Djokovic is entitled to challenge the decision in court, but it could carry a days-long legal fight, according to an immigration lawyer. The first step would require his team to seek an urgent injunction in the Federal Circuit Court to prevent him from being deported.

If he was to obtain a “Bridging Visa E”, it is understood that Djokovic would be legally allowed to stay in Australia and be among the community, but he would lose any working rights.

Could he still play in the Australian Open?

Mr Morrison said that Djokovic would be deported “to a country where he is able to return to” when a flight could be arranged. The only hope for Djokovic to defend his Australia Open title is through the appeals process.

Who is to blame for this visa mess?

State and federal authorities have pointed the finger of blame at each other. But in a press conference on Thursday morning, the Prime Minister said it was ultimately Novak Djokovic’s responsibility to ensure he had the correct paperwork. “The rules are made known to all travellers and they get on a plane based on their own view that they will be able to meet those requirements,” Mr Morrison said. “If they cannot, well, they cannot come in. That is just how the rules work.”

What does this mean for international relations and Australia’s reputation abroad?

The border bungle made international headlines and is no doubt expected to affect Australia’s international reputation. Novak’s enraged father, Srdjan, told Serbian media his son was being held in captivity.

“This is a fight for the liberal world, this is not just a fight for Novak, but a fight for the whole world,” he said.

In a blistering social media post, Serbia’s President Aleksander Vucic accused Australian authorities of harassing Djokovic.

“I told our Novak that the whole Serbia is with him, and that our authorities are taking all measures to stop the harassment of the best tennis player in the world … In accordance with all the norms of international public law, Serbia will fight for Novak Djokovic, for justice and truth,” he posted to his official account.

What happened when he landed in Australia?

Djokovic landed in Melbourne just after 11pm on Wednesday night. He was immediately questioned at the airport by border officials in a process that stretched throughout the night. His father said the tennis star was held in isolation while two officers manned the door. Djokovic left the airport about 10am and was transferred to a holding hotel until a flight out of the country can be arranged.

What happened during the five hours Djokovic was locked down?

Officials quizzed Djokovic on his application to enter the country, however his father told Serbian media that he was separated from his team and taken to a room where he was kept under armed guard.

The ABF later confirmed that Djokovic had access to his phone throughout.

Bizarre ‘natural immunity’ claim in Djoker farce

A bizarre claim that Novak Djokovic has “natural immunity” to Covid has been tabled as the criteria for his exemption to enter Australia.

The world No.1, who has had his visa denied and looks set to be deported from Australia after failing to meet visa conditions, is believed to have been relying on the fact he recently contracted the virus as a means to enter unvaccinated.

The world is waiting with bated breath for answers to so many questions relating to the ongoing saga, the main one being the grounds on which he sought an exemption to contest the Australian Open.

In a 2GB segment on Wednesday, 9 News political editor Chris O’Keefe reported that Tennis Australia had pitched Djokovic’s natural immunity status to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) only to have it rejected.

“I’m told on good authority that Tennis Australia asked ATAGI, the federal taskforce on vaccination, if ‘natural immunity can work in place of two doses of vaccine’,” O’Keefe said.

“This is from ATAGI to Tennis Australia when they asked if someone had caught Covid, if that could be in place of them being fully vaccinated: ‘Natural immunity from the past infection is recognised as fully vaccinated in several European countries, but ATAGI also notes the challenge of confirming past infection and uncertainty with regards to the duration of protection.’

“This is what ATAGI told Tennis Australia: ‘ATAGI recommends that two doses of TGA-approved or TGA-recognised Covid-19 vaccine, according to the recommended schedule, is still required in order to be vaccinated. Past infection is not a contraindication (meaning a valid reason against) vaccination.’

“So in Australia, ATAGI told Tennis Australia that past infection with Covid is not a valid reason against vaccination. They also said that vaccination can commence once recovered from severe illness – which is only 7 or 14 days – and only in exceptional circumstances can an exemption be given if that person caught Covid in the last six months.”

Djokovic announced on his social media channels he had caught the virus back in 2020 after the disastrous Adria Tour but has made no mention of a second contraction.


Australia border officials said the entry visa of the 34-year-old Djokovic was cancelled for failing to meet strict entry requirements.

“Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia,” the Australian Border Force said.

“Deportation!” Srdjan Djokovic later posted on Instagram after Australia’s decision.

“Our pride, our Novak is returning … We should all welcome him as deserved!”

The Serb star had landed in Melbourne earlier Wednesday after celebrating on social media that he had a medical exemption to play in the Australian Open without proof he was fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

 

[Fuzz]

What happened during the five hours Djokovic was locked down?

Officials quizzed Djokovic on his application to enter the country, however his father told Serbian media that he was separated from his team and taken to a room where he was kept under armed guard.

 

[ltte]

And to add oil to fire

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jan/03/covid-positive-nurses-are-working-in-nsw-hospitals-due-to-severe-staffing-shortages

This is for laughing if not for crying.

I'm not advocating Djokovic I just point to this nonsense Australia and world hysteria about his status.

Ltte

[cnov]

I'm utterly bored of anti-vaxxers, it's tiring.

Absolutely fine if that's the way they want to go, but for the love of God, stop pissing and moaning when it gets in the way of things you want to do.

[Perla]

The stakes are high for ND. It would be his 10th Grand Slam in a row.

As Nadal put it so well: ND has decided to go this way, then he has to live with the consequences.

ND is old enough, has enough money, a great career. As an adult. He capable to make decisions  

The whole thing reminds me of a situation before Christmas in Frankfurt's railway station district. Bankers, whores, hookers, drug addicts, homeless people, migrants, illegals all meet here unfiltered. A Porsche Cayman was parked up at a traffic light with a right-turn lane. It was pulled up onto a tow truck. Untold people from the neighbouring streets stood in the street, completely still, and watched with great inner satisfaction. Justice. Equality.

i am quite happy that some one has the balls to send ND away 

[Bijan]

Also if his exemption was for previous infection, then he had COVID in June 2020. Did he get it again? Because the exemption was for infection within the past six months.

[Arctic Dude]

14 hours ago, Webbo said:

As mentioned earlier. He’s a bellend …, 

https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/novak-djokovic-positive-emotions-can-purify-polluted-water_sto7744129/story-amp.shtml

The only place he should be allowed to enter is an asylum for the criminally stupid!!   

[Zaphod42]

55 minutes ago, Bijan said:

Also if his exemption was for previous infection, then he had COVID in June 2020. Did he get it again? Because the exemption was for infection within the past six months.

So if he had the vaccine in June 2020 he’d be fine, but having gotten over a previous infection in June 2020 isn’t good enough?  Australia, and other countries, keeping spouting off about “FoLlOwInG tHe ScIenCe” but ignore natural immunity in favor of a vaccination that doesn’t prevent catching or transmitting the virus, and whose makers are free from repercussions if something goes wrong.  Complete insanity.

[Bijan]

2 minutes ago, Zaphod42 said:

So if he had the vaccine in June 2020 he’d be fine, but having gotten over a previous infection in June 2020 isn’t good enough?  Complete insanity.

Oh yeah no one is claiming the rules actually make sense or make sense at the current time if they did make sense in the past. Only that they should apply to everyone.

[CaptainQuintero]

  I especially like his gluten sensitivity test, will have to try that one

BBC News - What has Novak Djokovic actually said about vaccines?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-59897918

 

 

 

[Fuzz]

2 hours ago, Zaphod42 said:

So if he had the vaccine in June 2020 he’d be fine, but having gotten over a previous infection in June 2020 isn’t good enough?  Australia, and other countries, keeping spouting off about “FoLlOwInG tHe ScIenCe” but ignore natural immunity in favor of a vaccination that doesn’t prevent catching or transmitting the virus, and whose makers are free from repercussions if something goes wrong.  Complete insanity.

Not sure if Australia is only accepting ICVC (International Covid-19 Vaccine Certificates) that show a last vaccination date of less than 270 day, like some countries. If they are, then ND would not be considered as fully vaccinated if he got his jab in 2020.

[helix]

1 hour ago, CaptainQuintero said:

  I wonder how all this would have played out without his previous statements, the post that seemed to brag about being let into Australia and the video his wife shared about 5G and covid links. 

  I especially like his gluten sensitivity test, will have to try that one

BBC News - What has Novak Djokovic actually said about vaccines?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-59897918

 

 

 

Are both of them cracked ? 

[bpm32]

On 1/4/2022 at 9:01 PM, jonnyfromiranny said:

Disclaimer: I am a US citizen and admittedly know very little about Aussie COVID requirements. 

…but it sounds like Aussie government is being a bit too strict with their regulations. By the feel of this thread it looks like I’m in the minority, but people being locked out of Australia unable to see family seems ridiculous. Is that not insane?

Serious question: Generally speaking, are Aussie citizens pretty happy with the way the government is handling the pandemic or do they feel they are overly strict?

Pardon my ignorance. 

I’d be interested in hearing how the general mood is in Australia as well. It’s being reported here in the States that 90% of Australians over 16 are vaccinated, but as I understand it there are still a fair number of strict measures? 

[Nino]

3 hours ago, CaptainQuintero said:

  I especially like his gluten sensitivity test, will have to try that one

BBC News - What has Novak Djokovic actually said about vaccines?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-59897918

Quote from the same article :

Quote

And during an Instagram live, he claimed that positive thought could "cleanse" polluted water, adding that "scientists have proven that molecules in water react to our emotions."

 

[mcicvara]

[El Presidente]

 Anyone can now come to Oz as long as they are double vaxxed. If you are not double vaxxed you are off to 14 days quarantine if you can find a plane that let's you board. 

Until recently, travel in and out of Australia was limited. Governments were trying to get vaccination rates above 80%. In most States it is now near 90% Double Vaxxed. 

We have had 2300 deaths from Covid in the country since 2019. 

In terms of mood, now that the population is largely double vaxxed + Booster is rolling out..........the mood is largely "Let it rip"

 

 

2 hours ago, bpm32 said:

I’d be interested in hearing how the general mood is in Australia as well. It’s being reported here in the States that 90% of Australians over 16 are vaccinated, but as I understand it there are still a fair number of strict measures? 

 

[Ken Gargett]

6 hours ago, Zaphod42 said:

So if he had the vaccine in June 2020 he’d be fine, but having gotten over a previous infection in June 2020 isn’t good enough?  Australia, and other countries, keeping spouting off about “FoLlOwInG tHe ScIenCe” but ignore natural immunity in favor of a vaccination that doesn’t prevent catching or transmitting the virus, and whose makers are free from repercussions if something goes wrong.  Complete insanity.

out of interest, how the hell was he going to get a vaccine in june 2020? the first vaccine was given in december 2020. you can mock the science but you are off in fruitbat land expecting him or anyone to get vaxxed back then.

as for natural immunity, whether you believe in it or not, it was made crystal clear to tennis australia, ND and everyone else that natural immunity would not be sufficient for an exemption. he knew that before he got on the plane. but yet again, it seems that he believed that the 'i'm special' rule would apply. 

[Zaphod42]

2 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

out of interest, how the hell was he going to get a vaccine in june 2020? the first vaccine was given in december 2020. you can mock the science but you are off in fruitbat land expecting him or anyone to get vaxxed back then.

as for natural immunity, whether you believe in it or not, it was made crystal clear to tennis australia, ND and everyone else that natural immunity would not be sufficient for an exemption. he knew that before he got on the plane. but yet again, it seems that he believed that the 'i'm special' rule would apply. 

It was just an example. He supposedly caught it in June 2020, so using the same time period for simplicity. You could use June 2021 instead and the point still stands. Allowing only vaccination and ignoring natural immunity is sheer ignorance and a denial of reality. It’s not about science at this point; it’s about power and control.

 

[El Presidente]

Just now, Zaphod42 said:

 Allowing only vaccination and ignoring natural immunity is sheer ignorance and a denial of reality. It’s not about science at this point; it’s about power and control.

 

You can certainly argue the ins and outs. I am not quite sure how you certify "natural immunity" for immigration purposes. 

From an immigration perspective it was pretty clear in this case. 

Double vaxxed or quarantine.  that is the only way you come in. 

He did neither. 

[porkchop]

40 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Double vaxxed or quarantine.  that is the only way you come in. !

That’s not true…others have gotten in on an exemption. (right?)

Did he qualify for the exemption? That’s another question. 

[Ken Gargett]

42 minutes ago, Zaphod42 said:

It was just an example. He supposedly caught it in June 2020, so using the same time period for simplicity. You could use June 2021 instead and the point still stands. Allowing only vaccination and ignoring natural immunity is sheer ignorance and a denial of reality. It’s not about science at this point; it’s about power and control.

 

not really sure that the point does stand. had he got vaccinated in either june 2020 (if it were possible) or june 2021, then we would not be having this debate. he would be vaxxed and allowed to enter. 

it is obvious that you and other anti-vaxxers will never be convinced by science but take your natural immunity and sit on a pyramid and chant kumbaya or whatever but we have done the vaccination debate to death. your assertions have been refuted time and time again. and by the way, that evil science suggests that natural immunity may lose its effectiveness after three months. so it is sheer ignorance to think it should be the be all and end all when it was 19 months since he had covid. 

but as rob says and as i have said and others have said, the australian regulations, of which ND was fully aware, made it absolutely clear that so-called natural immunity was not sufficient for exemption and that everyone needs to be double vaxxed (yes, that pesky science just keeps getting in the way). being a whackadoodle doesn't remove that obligation. 

[El Presidente]

1 minute ago, porkchop said:

That’s not true…others have gotten in on an exemption. (right?)

Did he qualify for the exemption? That’s another question. 

That is what they are examining at the moment. Hopefully they will turf out a few more. 

natural immunity is not an exemption under immigration requirements.  That was clearly spelled out to Tennis Australia.  You may like it or not, but that is the clear ruling. 

If you have a genuine documented medical reason for not being double vaxxed, you need to provide that at the point of immigration. You indeed may be able to enter as long as you meet the states quarantine requirements.