GUWAHATI: Coronavirus scare has majorly affected the Holi market in Guwahati with traders witnessing a dip in sales this year.
Several shopkeepers in the Fancy Bazar area in Guwahati told G Plus that their sales have been badly affected.
“This time around, there is a panic among people and they are avoiding buying Holi colours. My profit has declined by as much as 80 per cent this time around,” mentioned Santosh Das, a trader in Fancy Bazar who sells Holi colours and water guns.
He added that it had been three days of putting up shop but the sales are yet to pick up for Holi related items.
“People have been asking several questions related to the procurement of the colours as they feel that we get Holi colours and other items from China. Whereas that is not the case, we procure the stock from places like Delhi, Jaipur and different places in Assam,” said another trader in Fancy Bazar.
Further, several Guwahatians too have decided not to play Holi in large gathering this year as a precautionary measure against coronavirus.
It is to be mentioned that a total of 42 people have tested positive for the disease across India till now.
Recently, a 76-year-old American tourist tested positive for coronavirus in Bhutan who travelled via Assam. A total of 400 people who came in close contact with him have been quarantined since then.
