Tennis star Novak Djokovic isn’t taking part in this week’s event at Indian Wells due to COVID-19 restrictions on visitors to the United States, but Florida Governor Ron DeSantis thinks he’s found a loophole to get Djokavic into the country.
While many COVID restrictions have been lifted all over the country, the U.S. still requires international visitors to be vaccinated against the virus. As Djokovic has said that he is still unvaccinated, he applied for special permission to enter the country for the BNP Paribas Open, but he was denied. Djokovic also won’t take part in the Miami Open later this month.
DeSantis, who has built much of his platform as governor on pushing back against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccination efforts, said that he would help Djokovic to enter the United States by sending a boat to pick him up from the Bahamas and bring him to Miami.
“I would run a boat from the Bahamas here for him. I would do that a hundred percent,” DeSantis said at a press conference on Wednesday. “I think his people are looking at it, and I’m not sure that’s the way they want to come into the country, which I understand. I think it’d be a great moment, but you know, nevertheless.”
DeSantis called on President Joe Biden to allow Djokovic to compete as well.
“The only thing keeping Novak Djokovic from participating in the Miami Open tennis tournament is President Biden’s misguided and unscientific COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreigner travelers,” DeSantis said. “Mr. President – lift your restrictions and let him compete.”
Over 85,000 Floridians have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
[CNN]