India's celebration of festival of colors muted amid coronavirus fears

New Delhi

India’s festival of Holi was subdued on Tuesday with fears of the coronavirus putting a damper on the usually celebration marked by the throwing of colored powder and dousing with dyed water.

The two-day spring festival is a rowdy explosion of color, with people smearing each other’s faces with green, yellow and red powder, Reuters reported.

But the coronavirus, which has infected nearly 40 people in India, looks set to spoil the fun this year.

“Avoid participating in large gatherings,” the Ministry of Health said in notice warning of the danger of the virus, while wishing everyone a “Happy and Safe Holi”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he would not celebrate Holi this year. Shopkeepers said rumors that the colored powders and dyes revelers use in the festival were imported from China had hurt their sales.

The virus originated in China late last year.