Indonesian Badminton Team Return Home after All England Open Exclusion

KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian badminton team returns home on Sunday, March 21, after the Covid-19 nasal swab tests showed negative results.

The Red and White Squad conducted the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on Friday as a requirement for returning home. 

The team was forced to withdraw from the prestigious tournament after British health authorities on Wednesday instructed them to carry out 10-day isolation as a passenger traveling on-board with the team's flight tested positive for Covid-19. 

Facilitated independently by the Indonesian Embassy in London, the tests were administered by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) doctor.

The sample was then taken to a laboratory in Birmingham and the results showed that the entire Indonesian shuttlers and officials tested negative for Covid-19.

"Good News! The results of the Indonesian squad PCR test in Birmingham stated that the entire team tested negative for Covid-19," said a statement from Badminton Indonesia.

Good News!

Hasil Swab PCR Skuad Indonesia di Birmingham menyatakan seluruh tim negatif Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/b7S1IS9oEj

— BADMINTON INDONESIA (@INABadminton) March 20, 2021

The Indonesian team will depart London today at 5.40 pm local time by Turkish Airlines flight TK1972 via Istanbul.

After a two-hour transit in Istanbul, they will continue the journey to Jakarta by Turkish Airlines flight TK56. The shuttlers and officials are scheduled to arrive in Jakarta Monday, March 23 at 6 pm local time.

Based on the Indonesian government regulations, once they arrive in the country the team will undergo a five-day quarantine at the Grand Mercure Hotel. 

Their hopes of winning the title were dashed after they were forced to withdraw from the biggest badminton tournament, which took place at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, 17-21 March.

The Indonesian contingent received an e-mail from the UK Government's National Health Service (NHS) requesting the entire team to carry out self-isolation for 10 days after a person traveling onboard tested positive for Covid-19.

According to the UK's health protocols, airline passengers who are on the same flight with individuals who tested positive for Covid-19 must undergo self-isolation for 10 days.

Initially, the NHS instructed the Indonesian badminton team to undergo the quarantine at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Birmingham City Center until March 23. However, after Indonesia's Ambassador to the UK Desra Percaya communicated with the NHS, the Indonesian squad was allowed to leave earlier.

(Writer: Farahdilla Puspa | Editor: Eris Eka Jaya)

Source: https://www.kompas.com/badminton/read/2021/03/21/07501868/all-england-2021-hasil-swab-negatif-tim-indonesia-pulang-hari-ini?page=all#page3.