Riverside County, California health officials issued a public health emergency proclamation Sunday, and organizers decided to cancel the tennis tournament.

County Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser declares coronavirus a public emergency as first patient admitted to Eisenhower hospital in Rancho Mirage.
Palm Springs Desert Sun
The 2020 BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells has been canceled amid coronavirus concerns, organizers announced Sunday evening.
Local health officials announced Saturday that a person who tested positive for coronavirus was being treated at Eisenhower Health hospital in Rancho Mirage and Riverside County officials announced a public health emergency on Sunday.
“We are very disappointed that the tournament will not take place, but the health and safety of the local community, fans, players, volunteers, sponsors, employees, vendors, and everyone involved with the event is of paramount importance,” Tournament Director Tommy Haas said in a statement. “We are prepared to hold the tournament on another date and will explore options.”
Martin Massiello, Eisenhower’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, added “We appreciate the proactive stance tournament organizers are taking to ensure public health and safety.”
The 2020 BNP Paribas Open will not be held.https://t.co/BVKQmmcbthpic.twitter.com/CHOd0PgJeV
BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2020
Anyone who purchased tickets to the tournament may request a refund for this year’s event or credit toward the 2012 tournament.
They can make their request by visiting bnpparibasopen.com/coronavirus.
The deadline to make a request is March 31. Physical tickets need to be presented at the box office or suite department, digital tickets need to be in a customer’s ticketing account and all requests need to be made by the purchaser on record.
Refunds apply to complete orders only.
In a statement, Indian Wells leaders said they support the decision to cancel this year’s tournament and that this year’s event will “set an example of thoughtful leadership that prioritizes the health of players, fans and the community.”
The tournament has been held every year since 1974. Canada’s Bianca Andreescu and Austria’s Dominic Thiem won the women’s and men’s singles titles in Indian Wells last year.
Bianca Andreescu plays a backhand during the 2019 BNP Paribas Open women’s singles final.
 (Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)