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Australia says Novak Djokovic's vaccination stance poses a public risk

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke barred the world's top-ranked tennis player despite saying Djokovic had entered Australia with a valid medical exemption from being vaccinated

Novak Djokovic
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Matthew Burgess | Bloomberg
Tennis star Novak Djokovic’s entry permit to Australia was canceled because his presence risks strengthening anti-vaccination sentiment among a minority of the population and creating a public order risk. 

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke barred the world’s top-ranked tennis player despite saying Djokovic had entered Australia with a valid medical exemption from being vaccinated and presents a negligible health risk himself, according to court documents released Saturday. 

His ongoing presence, however, “may lead to an increase in anti-vaccination sentiment generated in the Australian community, potentially leading to an increase in civil unrest of the kind previously experienced in Australia with rallies