Five players in total have withdrawn from this week’s European Masters as a result of the positive tests.
Snooker players Gary Wilson and Daniel Wells have tested positive for COVID-19 during the European Masters in Milton Keynes.
Following protocol, the pair will withdraw from the ranking event with immediate effect.
Wells was due to face Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round on Tuesday, but instead the world champion will receive a bye through to the last 64, while Wilson was expecting to meet Duane Jones.
Fellow snooker players Elliot Slessor and David Lilley have also been forced to withdraw from the competition despite testing negative for COVID-19 ahead of the competition.
Because the English duo was in close proximity to Wilson on Monday, the decision was taken for them to pull out.
Michael White was later added to the group of competitors that has to suffer premature exits.
Coronavirus tests are being given to every player ahead of their entry into the European Masters at the MK Arena.
However, in last week’s Championship League, which was also staged in Milton Keynes but promoted by Matchroom Sport, no tests were required before participating.
The inconsistency led Anthony Hamilton to withdraw from last week’s action as a precaution, and it’s easier to understand why he took that measure now.
Hamilton also caused controversy in July when he opted not to compete at the Crucible Theatre despite qualifying for the World Championship for the first time in over a decade.
The former German Masters champion returned to the fold yesterday before being knocked out in the opening round by Michael Holt.
Wilson, Wells, Slessor, and Jones, meanwhile, will all undergo a period of self-isolation before being permitted to compete again on the Main Tour, and they will additionally receive support from the WST.
The European Masters will provide the 2020/21 campaign with its first champion and is being contested behind closed doors.
Live coverage is on Eurosport.
Click here to view the draw (Times: CET)
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