BNP Paribas Open Plays On Amid Coronavirus Concerns: Indian Wells

UPDATE: On Sunday, March 8, officials cancelled the tournament due to public health concerns. Read the full update here.

INDIAN WELLS, CA — The 2020 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells is going ahead as scheduled, despite worries over coronavirus and a State of Emergency that's been declared in California. But tournament officials acknowledge they are watching the situation closely and are taking a day-by-day approach.

In a statement released Friday, tournament organizers said, "the BNP Paribas Open is taking action to continue prioritizing the health and safety of the fans, athletes, and everyone involved with the tournament."

The 2020 BNP Paribas Open runs March 9-22 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The highly popular Southern California annual event owned by Oracle founder and tech billionaire Larry Ellison attracts top professional tennis players from around the globe and brings in millions of tourism dollars to the Coachella Valley.

For tennis fans, this year's competition will look different due to the COVID-19 threat. Players will be required to manage their own towel on court and ball kids will not touch or move player towels — something rarely seen in professional tennis. Instead, a chair will be placed at the back of the court for players to place their towels during matches.

Ball kids will be wearing gloves, as will volunteers taking tickets and all restaurant and food supply workers at the venue.

In years past, tournament organizers have made player-fan interaction a part of the BNP Paribas experience, but this year the "organized" interaction will be limited, according to the statement.

N95 masks are being secured for first aid and health personnel, just in case, and more than 250 hand-sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the Tennis Garden for fans and everyone involved with the event.

All common areas throughout the venue are being cleaned daily with an antiviral application, and tournament officials have coordinated with health officials on testing for anyone who shows COVID-19 symptoms, according to statement.

All of these measures are being implemented under the guidance of Dr. David Agus, professor of medicine and biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California, and Martin Massiello, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Eisenhower Health, according to the statement.

For fans who purchased tickets directly from the 2020 tournament, refunds can be requested, or 2021 tournament credits are available. Fans can visit www.bnpparibasopen.com/coronavirus to request a refund or credit.

Some lower-level challenger tennis tournaments have been canceled around the globe due to COVID-19.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), which is the main men's tennis governing body, said in a March 3 released statement, "The outbreak of the coronavirus continues to cause disruption to many sporting events worldwide. We are liaising with our respective tournaments and local authorities where ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour events are played, with the health and safety of staff, players and fans as our top priority. We are in regular contact with our player and tournament members regarding the latest precautionary health measures and guidelines, as well as any travel advisories, and we continue to closely monitor the situation as it evolves."

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA), the principal organizing body of women's pro tennis, has said it is continuing to communicate with medical experts as information evolves about the virus, and is working closely with them to monitor the situation.

Riverside County, which is home to Indian Wells, has had no confirmed cases of COVID-19.

For more information about this year's tournament, visit https://bnpparibasopen.com.

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