Djokovic’s Australian visa hearing underway| News Today

World No.1 in men’s tennis, Novak Djokovic, awaits a verdict in a court hearing on whether he will be allowed to defend his men’s singles title at the Australian Open this month.

The 34-year-old visa was canceled after entering Australia on January 5 and he was confined to a hotel in Melbourne while he mounts his court challenge.

Court documents, released on Saturday and submitted to the court ahead of Monday’s hearing, confirmed that Djokovic – who has already expressed his opposition to the Covid-19 vaccines and vaccine warrants – was not vaccinated when he arrived in Australia on the 5th. January.

The nine-time Australian Open champion tested positive for Covid-19 on December 16, 2021, and after showing no signs of fever or “respiratory symptoms,” he then requested a medical exemption to participate at the Australian Open, according to a court filing.

According to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization’s Expanded Guidance on temporary medical exemptions for Covid-19 vaccines, an exemption may be granted to visa holders in certain cases involving “PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, where vaccination may be delayed for up to 6 months after infection. “

But the Australian federal government disputes this claim. Court documents show that his visa was canceled because “a previous infection with Covid-19 is not considered a medical contraindication to vaccination against Covid-19 in Australia”.

If the court confirms the cancellation, Djokovic will be deported as soon as suitable travel arrangements can be made.

Monday’s hearing has now begun, chaired by Judge Anthony Kelly.