COVID-19 and Tennis

[tgh]

While ensconced in the salubrious accomodation he will probably be writing a job description for a new PA.

The previous occupant probably had a task like this :
DJ. I want to play in the Australian open
PA.. no problem.. budget ?
DJ.. Whatever...

 

[MARTINE]

"The ABC understands Djokovic was taken to a hotel controlled by immigration officials around 10am AEDT. "

Oh man the possibility of Novak being in the Broadmeadows detention facility is just priceless mental imagery

Maybe he can resurrect the impersonations that used to endear him … to keep everyone entertained

 

[RooFlyer]

Part From The Oz on line


…

 

[Pushka]

I read somewhere that sportspeople are possibly eligible under 408 visa. But I think it needs to be applied before being at the border. Not sure if unvaccinated exempted person are allowed under this visa/process.

There is also a question of how other unvaccinated exempted tennis players already entered. They need to keep quiet or else might be deported under the visa condition ‘not be disruptive’.

Despite the entertainment, I guess Djokovic will lose in court then get returned then reapply under another visa (or do so while appealing in court) and be allowed into Australia.

There have been a couple of players who had withdrawn and I also read - somewhere - ? If verified, that many had been knocked back. If he fails in court then I understand he can't apply to return for 3 years.

 

[prozac]

Novak Djokovic is a remarkable tennis player, the best in any of our lifetimes. He has outshone Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in physical endeavour on the court. All this time none of us knew he was carrying a secret debilitating illness. Remarkable man.

 

[RooFlyer]

Novak Djokovic is a remarkable tennis player, the best in any of our lifetimes. He has outshone Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in physical endeavour on the court. All this time none of us knew he was carrying a secret debilitating illness. Remarkable man.

I can assure you that in my lifetime I’ve seen more than one better players!

 

[prozac]

I can assure you that in my lifetime I’ve seen more than one better players!

Intended irony ...

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

There have been a couple of players who had withdrawn and I also read - somewhere - ? If verified, that many had been knocked back. If he fails in court then I understand he can't apply to return for 3 years.

There will be at least 3 categories - no exemption granted (won’t get to border), exemption granted but wrong visa (Djokovic), exempted granted with correct visa (arrived already and in Australia).

The first 2 would lead to a ‘compulsory’ withdrawal. The third category would only be a withdrawal by player decision (eg injury) or tournament rules (eg covid).

According to TA there are already some of the 3rd category in Australia.

If 3 year ban then one would think there goes chance of (Golden) Grand Slam in calendar year

 

[Pushka]

There will be at least 3 categories - no exemption granted (won’t get to border), exemption granted but wrong visa (Djokovic), exempted granted with correct visa (arrived already and in Australia).

The first 2 would lead to a ‘compulsory’ withdrawal. The third category would only be a withdrawal by player decision (eg injury) or tournament rules (eg covid).

According to TA there are already some of the 3rd category in Australia.

If 3 year ban then one would think there goes chance of (Golden) Grand Slam in calendar year

Maybe it’s the reporting but Morrison said he didn’t have an exemption which may explain why he obtained the other type of visa but TA and Vic Govt wouldn’t support it.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Maybe it’s the reporting but Morrison said he didn’t have an exemption which may explain why he obtained the other type of visa but TA and Vic Govt wouldn’t support it.

Probably just word play. But also depends on which exemption PM is referring to.

Visa holders need a further exemption to enter Australia unvaccinated. Eg sponsored spouse/fiance(e) can’t get vaccinated with approved vaccine. Does anyone know whether this exemption initiated with Home Affairs goes to ATAGI?

To be honest not even sure what the exemption permission that needed ATAGI and a Vic medical panel approval.

A person also wouldn’t have exemption if an exemption is granted on condition of proving certain facts.

 

[OATEK]

This little bunfight has really brightened my morning….

Challenge: Name anyone else who has had an Australian entry visa rejected who was then allowed to wait in a plush
city hotel until they legally challenged it?

I think you are over-stating it. My understand from a relative in Border Force is that people with visa issues are regularly taken to quarantine hotels until sorted. But yes, all good clean fun so far!

 

[RooFlyer]

Intended irony ...

Ah. Fair enough.

There will be at least 3 categories - no exemption granted (won’t get to border), exemption granted but wrong visa (Djokovic), exempted granted with correct visa (arrived already and in Australia).

The first 2 would lead to a ‘compulsory’ withdrawal. The third category would only be a withdrawal by player decision (eg injury) or tournament rules (eg covid).

According to TA there are already some of the 3rd category in Australia.

If 3 year ban then one would think there goes chance of (Golden) Grand Slam in calendar year

If he's refused visa/deported from Australia, it may then affect his ability to enter other countries if they ask the question "Have you ever been refused entry or have been deported?" I think the USA asks something like that.

 

[RooFlyer]

So it seems that Djokovic's "medical exemtion" was based on the fact that he claimed virus immunity (and therefore no need to vaccinate) on the basis that he recently had covid.

A report in the Hobart Mercury on-line seems to place Tennis Australia in a bit of a bind, if they gave him an exemtion based on previos infection/immunity (heavily qualification .. if all as reported, although the article does reproduce the actual letters).
Edit - same report now in the Oz on-line


Two letters from the Department of Health sent to Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley have cast doubt over Novak Djokovic’s medical exemption for the Australian Open.

The letters clearly stipulate that players that were unvaccinated but had contracted Covid in the past six months would be denied quarantine-free travel.

The letters were released after Djokovic was denied a visa upon arrival at Melbourne Airport.

The world No 1 touched down at 11pm AEDT Wednesday night and was held under police guard until it was confirmed at 10am AEDT Thursday he would not be granted entry.

According to reports, Djokovic had applied for an exemption based on the fact he had caught the virus in the last six months.

The first letter said: “People who have previously had COVID-19 and not received a vaccine dose are not considered fully vaccinated”.

It adds that these people would “not be approved for quarantine-free entry, regardless of whether they have received foreign vaccination exemptions”.

the same advice was shared in the second latter dated November 29, 2021.

EDIT:

Excerpt from the letter of late November last, from Greg Hunt to the CEO of Tennis Australia:

 

[Denali]

25 Hilarious Tweets About This Whole Novak Djokovic Situation

We've rounded up some hilarious tweets about Novak Djokovic getting rejected by the Australian Border Force. Which is your favourite?

secretsydney.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1478856578400989189

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

So it seems that Djokovic's "medical exemtion" was based on the fact that he claimed virus immunity (and therefore no need to vaccinate) on the basis that he recently had covid.

A report in the Hobart Mercury on-line seems to place Tennis Australia in a bit of a bind, if they gave him an exemtion based on previos infection/immunity (heavily qualification .. if all as reported, although the article does reproduce the actual letters).
Edit - same report now in the Oz on-line


Two letters from the Department of Health sent to Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley have cast doubt over Novak Djokovic’s medical exemption for the Australian Open.

The letters clearly stipulate that players that were unvaccinated but had contracted Covid in the past six months would be denied quarantine-free travel.

The letters were released after Djokovic was denied a visa upon arrival at Melbourne Airport.

The world No 1 touched down at 11pm AEDT Wednesday night and was held under police guard until it was confirmed at 10am AEDT Thursday he would not be granted entry.

According to reports, Djokovic had applied for an exemption based on the fact he had caught the virus in the last six months.

The first letter said: “People who have previously had COVID-19 and not received a vaccine dose are not considered fully vaccinated”.

It adds that these people would “not be approved for quarantine-free entry, regardless of whether they have received foreign vaccination exemptions”.

the same advice was shared in the second latter dated November 29, 2021.

Seems to suggest the exemption involving ATAGI and the Vic independent panel is to do with the tournament perhaps and not about entry into Australia.......

 

[jakeseven7]

Maybe now Governents of all persuasions will realise it should be one rule for some and the SAME rule for others, unlike what has happened during this pandemic.

If you let some through you have to let all through. And if the rules are too tough for some, then maybe it’s time to get rid of it for all.

What no Olympics for Premiers anymore?

 

[RooFlyer]

25 Hilarious Tweets About This Whole Novak Djokovic Situation

We've rounded up some hilarious tweets about Novak Djokovic getting rejected by the Australian Border Force. Which is your favourite?

secretsydney.com

View attachment 268486

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1478856578400989189

Twitter finally justifies its existence ...

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

First few para

Djokovic has been detained awaiting deportation. What happens now?​

By Tracey Holmes for The Ticket and ABC Sport

ABC sports journalist Tracey Interview has interviewed human rights lawyer Alison Battissona about what Novak Djokovic could be facing in immigration detention.

What is Novak Djokovic facing at the moment?

Depending on the time the length of deportation may take, and it looks like this might be slightly protracted for Mr Djokovic, the standard practice is for the person to be handcuffed and taken to a place of detention via an unmarked van with blacked out windows.

There is no communication from the detainee at that point.

If it is that the visa has been cancelled … then he is an unlawful non-citizen and other Australian law that he must be detained by a commonwealth officer.

It is my understanding that he will be detained in a federally run quarantine hotel which must also be a place of detention, so that in my mind would be the Park Hotel in Carlton, Victoria.

You have experience with clients detained there, if indeed that's where Djokovic is, what are conditions like?

It will be in very stark contrast to the normal accommodation that Mr Djokovic is used to. The windows are sealed, the windows have tints on them so he cannot be seen from the outside.

Because he must be detained, his movements will be severely restricted. It is unclear when he would get access to communications again. If he is on any medications or needs vitamins or any other preparation – for a big sporting event – then it is unlikely he would get access to those today or even tomorrow unless he is given special consideration.

He will be in a very confused and isolated space at the moment.

Novak Djokovic faces being deported from Australia — as it happened

Serbia's President offers support to "the best tennis player in the world" after Novak Djokovic had his visa rejected after landing in Melbourne. As it happened.

www.abc.net.au

 

[SeatBackForward]

He will be in a very confused and isolated space at the moment.

Sounds like thousands of Australians who've wanted to return home and did all the correct things also.

 

[VPS]

and of course the jokes have started