Elkan Baggott Quarantined Ahead Of Fighting Vietnam, Indonesian Deputy Ambassador To Singapore Speaks Up

Elkan Baggott (Instagram @elkanbaggott)

JAKARTA - Deputy Ambassador of Indonesia to Singapore, Didik Eko Pujianto, spoke about the case that happened to Elkan Baggott before appearing to defend the national team in the 2020 AFF Cup. 19.

"Singapore has a multi-ministry task force for handling COVID-19. There is even a National Center for Infectious Diseases responsible for controlling the transmission of COVID-19, so this is the authority under the Singapore Ministry of Health," Didik told VOI via text message, Wednesday, December 15. .

Previously, it was reported that Baggott had to undergo COVID-19 quarantine by the Singapore government one day before the national team's match against Vietnam. The defender of English descent was caught on a plane with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 on his way from London to Singapore.

The quarantine decision addressed to Baggott was deemed unreasonable. Because, since arriving in Singapore on December 8 last, the defender had time to participate in defending the national team in the match against Laos.

Regarding this matter, Didik explained that upon arrival in Singapore, Baggott had followed the health protocol well. The national team defender has undergone a PCR test, waited for the results and was even declared negative until he was finally able to move.

However, due to a report that one of the passengers tested positive for COVID-19, the Omicron variant, on the same non-Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flight with Baggott when transiting Dubai to Singapore, all passengers on the airline were ordered to undergo quarantine for five days.

"But because there was one passenger who was later found to be positive on the Emirates flight (transit from Dubai to Singapore) and not using VTL Flight," said Didik.

"Then (all Emirates passengers including Baggott) received a 5-day quarantine order from the Singapore Ministry of Health. It was for the safety of that person and other residents," Didik added.

Regarding flight systematics, Singapore has indeed started flights based on Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) since September 8, 2021, where passengers who are fully vaccinated to and from Singapore can travel without quarantine, provided they undergo PCR tests.

To enter Singapore or VTL countries without quarantine, prospective passengers must have proof of complete vaccination, must undergo a PCR test and immediately self-isolate until the results of the PCR test are announced.

In addition, passengers must also be natives of countries that have VTL cooperation with Singapore. To anticipate the spread of the COVID-19 virus during flights, passengers must use special flights (VTL flights), one of which is operated by Singapore Airlines.