Contradictions over Unvaccinated Players for Australian Open

Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison said unvaccinated players would be free to compete at the Grand Slam in Melbourne after undergoing a two-week Covid-19 quarantine provided the state of Victoria applied for permits for them; but Victoria Premier, Daniel Andrews has no intention of doing so

Morrison had said unvaccinated players would need to quarantine for two weeks, while Andrews said his government will not apply for travel permits to allow unvaccinated tennis players to compete at the Australian Open in the state after Morrison indicated they would be allowed into the country.

Morrison said earlier on Wednesday that unvaccinated players would be free to compete at the Grand Slam after undergoing a two-week Covid-19 quarantine provided that Victoria, which hosts the tournament in Melbourne, applied for permits for them.

Andrews said his state would make no such applications.

“On behalf of every vaccinated Victorian who has done the right thing, my government will not be applying for an exemption for any unvaccinated player,” he told reporters.

“If we don’t apply for an exemption, then no exemption will be granted and then the whole issue is basically resolved.”
Australia’s borders have been effectively sealed for 18 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, though authorities approve travel exemptions for special cases.

Victoria has been Australia’s hardest-hit state, with its capital Melbourne locked down six times. The sixth lockdown ended on Friday, but only for fully vaccinated adults.

Reigning men’s champion Novak Djokovic has declined to disclose his vaccination status and suggested last week he might not play at the 2022 Australian Open.

Victoria’s position is a blow for the Grand Slam’s organisers Tennis Australia, who want a strong field for the tournament in January.
Andrews said tennis players should be held to the same standard as everyone else at the event.

“I’m not going to require people sitting in the grandstand, people working at the event, to be vaccinated while players aren’t,” he said.