Spectators were banned from IndyCar's 2020 season-opening race Sunday at St. Petersburg, Florida, by the city's mayor due to growing fears over the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Practices remain set for Friday with qualifying on Saturday and a 100-lap feature Sunday on a 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street course circuit through downtown St. Petersburg. But the public won't be allowed into the spectator seating areas around the course. "Since yesterday, we've learned of a coronavirus case at an open-air event similar to ours, Bike Week. Then, at an EMS conference across the Bay from us. The (World Health Organization) has since called this a global pandemic," Kriseman tweeted. "My most important job is public safety and health. It is for that reason that we are cancelling general attendance at the (race). We are working w/ the promoters and @IndyCar and will have more announcements later as to whether the race itself will run. "I don't make this decision lightly. I strongly believe life must carry on, as best we are able. But the reality now is that's just not possible. I am disappointed. I love this race. But I love this city and our residents more." A 26-car field is set to compete in what would be the 10th consecutive season opener staged in the Florida city's streets, with defending race champion Josef Newgarden of the United States hoping to repeat in the launch to a 17-race campaign. js/rcw