Two tennis players allowed into Australia under medical exemptions have now departed the country.
Sources close to the players have confirmed to The Ticket they left Australia following the detention of Novak Djokovic on his arrival, and the expulsion of Czech player Renata Voracova and one official.
Before Djokovic arrived in Melbourne last week, the group were allowed to enter the country and were moving freely around Melbourne.
The federal government has said there was no shift in government policy before and after the arrival of the world number one.
While Djokovic has confirmed he was unvaccinated and sought a medical exemption based on having recently had COVID, it's not clear how four others — three players and an official — were allowed through immigration.
The Australian Border Force has been approached for comment.
The emergence of two more players on exemptions in Australia heightens the confusion over the processing of tennis players by border officials on arrival.
The Health Department issued advice to Australian Open officials on November 18, which in part said:
"ATAGI is not responsible for border control issues, however, the Australian Border Force has advised that people must meet the fully vaccinated definition set by ATAGI to gain quarantine-free entry into Australia."
On seeking further clarification, a letter from Health Minister Greg Hunt to Tennis Australia on November 29 stated: "… the Australian Border Force has advised that people must be fully vaccinated, as defined by the ATAGI, to gain quarantine-free entry into Australia."
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Sources close to the players have confirmed to The Ticket they left Australia following the detention of Novak Djokovic on his arrival, and the expulsion of Czech player Renata Voracova and one official.
Before Djokovic arrived in Melbourne last week, the group were allowed to enter the country and were moving freely around Melbourne.
The federal government has said there was no shift in government policy before and after the arrival of the world number one.
While Djokovic has confirmed he was unvaccinated and sought a medical exemption based on having recently had COVID, it's not clear how four others — three players and an official — were allowed through immigration.
The Australian Border Force has been approached for comment.
The emergence of two more players on exemptions in Australia heightens the confusion over the processing of tennis players by border officials on arrival.
The Health Department issued advice to Australian Open officials on November 18, which in part said:
"ATAGI is not responsible for border control issues, however, the Australian Border Force has advised that people must meet the fully vaccinated definition set by ATAGI to gain quarantine-free entry into Australia."
On seeking further clarification, a letter from Health Minister Greg Hunt to Tennis Australia on November 29 stated: "… the Australian Border Force has advised that people must be fully vaccinated, as defined by the ATAGI, to gain quarantine-free entry into Australia."
Read more
