By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Mar. 5: Holi, one of the biggest festival of colour in Nepal, is set to be affected by COVID-19.

Holi, which is popular especially among the youths, used to be celebrated by organising various concerts and gatherings but this year, the District Administration Office (DAO) has directed the public to not organise and be a part of such gatherings and celebrations.

Damodar Dhakal, Secretary of Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN), said, “Usually around 400,000 tourists visit Nepal to celebrate Holi every year, but the number is likely to be decreased due to the global epidemic.”

“Holi is all about festival and colors. Since the threat of outbreak of the epidemic is rising in Nepal, the tourists’ in-flow will be bearish,” he added.

A large number of Indian nationals enter Nepal to celebrate Holi from Jogbani and Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Pokhara, Chitwan, Bardiya, Lumbini and so forth, he added.

Issuing a press release on Thursday, the DAO has called the denizens to not get out of the house, with urgency being the exception.

Likewise, the DAO has requested to not organise gatherings and events on the occasion of Holi and other festivals, fairs.

Janak Raj Dahal, Chief District Officer of Kathmandu said that considering the threat of possible outbreak of COVID-19 in Nepal, the Security Committee’s meeting held on Thursday decided to request people to not organise or participate in fairs, festivals and gatherings.

Dahal said that the DAO took this step to minimise the risk of the breaking out of epidemic.