NO-VAX DJOKOVIC :PERSONAL CHOICES AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY- SOME LESSONS FOR US ALL
9 January 2022: The Australian Open Tennis Tournament is one of THE big events not just in Australia but for world tennis. It is held around this time every year which is when most of the southern hemisphere is on holidays and the northern hemisphere is in winter. A perfect combination.
This year for the first time the defending champion, Novak Djokovic was initially allowed to enter the country but upon arrival had his exemption visa revoked. He was subsequently placed in quarrantine. It appears that while the paper work for his entry satisfied the requirements for the state of Victoria it was not acceptable to the Australian Border Force.
The facts are still emerging but at this stage we know:
- Djokovic has not been vaccinated against covid. He claims he does not believe in vaccination.
- why he has not been vaccinated is not clear and he claims this is a personal private matter. However it is understood that he had previously contracted covid (mid December 2021) and recovered. Subject to other conditions, this is may sufficient grounds for a no quarrantine, entry visa exemption to be granted.
- another competitor also had a vaccination exemption to enter Australia on the basis of having previously contracted Covid and recovered. However even though she has been in Australia for several weeks and has played warm up matches, she too has had her entry visa cancelled, is currently in quarrantine and has been told to leave the country.
- Tennis Australia and the Victorian Government have a vested interest in the promotion of this international event. Moreover, it is appropriate that the current title holder attend to defend that title. Tennis Australia had apparently confirmed that Djokovic satisfied the requirements for a quarrantine free, vaccination free exemption visa.
- so too the Australian Border Force and the Federal Government have an obligation to lay down and adhere to the rules relating to entry visas and exemptions. They claim the documentation supplied by the tennis star was not "appropriate". A visa had been issued but upon arrival it was found that he failed to meet entry requirements.
- Melbourne has the dubious honour of having the world's longest lockdown ever. Their collective lack of empathy for a sporting hero, no matter how talented and popular an athlete, can be understood.
- the Australian Federal Circuit Court will decide on this matter, who was at fault and whether Djokovic will get the necessary exemptions to play or be deported.
So are there any lessons for Samoa in this evolving drama? I think so.
1. Regardless of how important you are or think you are, the rules must be applied equally, consistently and without fear or favour.
2. The "rules" are constantly evolving and responding to changing circumstances and new medical knowledge. We need to be fully aware of what is happening overseas and establish our own appropriate protocols.
3. The priority of both governments is the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. Border control is our first line of defence and so far has been very effective in screening all incoming passengers. However, health services need appropriate resourcing also.
4. There are other issues at play. In the case of Tennis Australia it wants to attract all top ranked players to this grand slam event including the defending champion. In the case of Samoa the government needs to also consider its economy and likelihood of tourism ever being kick started. So far efforts remain elusive. The government remains silent on efforts to actively boost vaccination rates to an acceptable threshold which would allow our borders to be opened even with necessary conditions.
5. It's fine for individuals to make the choice of not being vaccinated BUT it comes with consequences. Your choice may be respected but you do not, and cannot expect to have the same rights of free access and unhindered passage as those who choose to be properly vaccinated. Samoa has yet to experience where and when this line is drawn.
6. Your vax status and rationale are personal and private although anti vaxers are quick to tell you of their freedom of choice status. However they are the ones who are placing the rest of the country at risk.
7. We are relying on medical advice by people in authority although such advice appears inconsistent with the expert opinion overseas. Some countries require a 3 day isolation while Samoa requires 3 weeks quarrantine.
8. Our health and hospital system was proven to be incapable of dealing with a known virus such as measles. We can only hope that it is following trends overseas in dealing with this evolving pandemic now 2 years on. The country needs confidence that our health care services have the facilities, equipment, training and skill to deal with this virus.
9. The virus will inevitably reach our shores. Non- vaccinated people are obviously at greater risk of contracting it, spreading it and requiring greater medical care.
10. Vaccination does not stop you getting virus and vaccinated people can still transmit the virus to others while exhibiting no symptoms themselves. However vaccination has proven to boost your immunity, lessen the impact of symptoms and make you less reliant on the need for medical services.
While Samoa does not have to deal with the duality of State and Federal jurisdictions, the government does need to prioritise economic stimulus and re-start of the tourism industry.
Our borders cannot remain closed indefinitely and vaccination rates need to be boosted. As a sign of commitment and good faith the government should suspend any public servant who has not been fully vaccinated. As I have said before, we have individual rights and freedoms but we also have community responsibilities.