Gagli and Molinari reinstated in Oman after Coronavirus scare
Lorenzo Gagli
Italy’s Lorenzo Gagli and Edoardo Molinari will tee it up in the Oman Open after being given the all clear following a Coronavirus scare.
The pair withdrew on Wednesday after Gagli exhibited flu-like symptoms and was assessed by the tournament’s on-site medical team.
In consultation with the Omani Ministry of Health, and in-line with current World Health Organisation guidelines, he was subsequently tested for Coronavirus (Covid-19) and immediately entered self-isolation as a precaution.
Gagli had been sharing a hotel room with Milan native Molinari, who showed no signs of illness, but as a further precaution he also entered self-isolation in a separate room.
Italy, which has reported 12 deaths and 400 confirmed cases in Europe’s worst outbreak of the virus, has attempted to lockdown the epicentre in the north to contain its spread.
On Thursday morning, the Omani Ministry of Health reported that Gagli’s test results were negative.
Gagli, who hails from Florence, told Italian newspaper La Nazione that he had been told he would have to remain isolated until next Wednesday.
“It’s an inexplicable decision,” Gagli said on Wednesday.
“If there was a risk of contagion, then they would have to isolate dozens of golfers and cancel the tournament.”
Both players have now been reinstated in the field by the European Tour, who issued a statement:
“Due to these exceptional circumstances, both Lorenzo and Edoardo will now be reinstated into the Oman Open as an addition to the field, meaning the field size will now be 146. They will tee off together at 13.30pm local time,” the statement said.
“Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour said: ‘This is a difficult global situation, one during which we will continue to follow all guidance given to us on preventive measures, and all decisions will continue to be made in the interests of overall public health.
‘We will also continue to work closely with our own health experts and local authorities to ensure we have the latest medical and travel advice for all our tournaments, because the well-being of our players, staff and spectators remains the European Tour’s absolute priority.’
