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Officials slam ‘outdated’ policy preventing Novak Djokovic from competing in US
Officials slam ‘outdated’ policy preventing Novak Djokovic from competing in US,Officials have criticised America’s ‘outdated’ vaccination policies which are preventing Novak Djokovic from competing at this week’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Officials slam ‘outdated’ policy preventing Novak Djokovic from competing in US

Officials have criticised America’s ‘outdated’ vaccination policies which are preventing Novak Djokovic from competing at this week’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

The world No. 1, who is unvaccinated against Covid-19, withdrew from the tournament on Monday after his application for a vaccine waiver to enter the US failed.

Currently, international travellers to the US must be able to provide proof of vaccination until at least April 10, meaning Djokovic is also set to miss the Miami Open which begins on March 19.

But US Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman maintained that President Joe Biden’s ‘well-intended but antiquated’ vaccination policies are hugely damaging to the economy and must be removed immediately.

Freeman’s statement read: ‘‘America’s outdated vaccine policy for international visitors is an unforced error that is contributing to an $80 billion (£67bn) loss in foreign traveller spending.

“Novak Djokovic is merely one of millions of travellers deterred from visiting the United States due to a well-intended but antiquated policy. It is well past time for the United States to join with its peers in Europe, Australia and elsewhere and remove pandemic vaccine requirements for our international guests.’’

It appears Freeman is not alone, as Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis has also urged the President to ‘reconsider’ his ‘misguided, unscientific and out-of-date’ vaccine requirements and allow Djokovic to enter the country to compete.

DeSantis’s letter read: ‘’I urge you to reconsider. It’s time to put pandemic politics aside and give the American people what they want – let him play.

‘’The only thing keeping Mr Djokovic from participating in this tournament is your administration’s continued enforcement of a misguided, unscientific, and out-of-date Covid-19 vaccination requirement for foreign guests.’’

Should things remain as they are, Djokovic will look to the Monte-Carlo Masters which begins on April 8.