The coronavirus scare in India has dampened the mood for many for the upcoming Holi celebrations. Not only have the Resident Welfare Associations and housing societies across the national capital region called off the otherwise boisterous Holi events, the sale of Holi toys and other items have also taken a hit.
Many farmhouses and five-star hotels across Mumbai have cancelled their Holi celebration events and signature pool parties.
“We have cancelled it as a precautionary measure against Covid-19,” said a hotelier.
An unprecedented slump in the sales of Holi toys has been reported at Sadar Bazar. According to reports, “Made in India” Holi products are selling fast over their Chinese counterparts.
A prominent trader at Bhindi bazar Mumbai that most of his Holi goods are lying unsold. Almost 80 per cent of the Holi toys had come from China before December when the coronavirus scare first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
Soft toy dealer Rajender Shelke , said that people are wary of buying Holi toys and pichkaris as most of them are made in China. People are under the scare of coronavirus.
The virus has infected as many as 40 in India, no death has been reported. Over half of the total number of positive cases in India comprises foreign nationals. Other patients have reported to have travelled to at least one of the coronavirus affected countries.