When the coronavirus struck neighboring China, Mongolia was preparing for the February Lunar New Year, its biggest holiday of the year. It is a time when everyone puts on their very best traditional winter ‘deels’ as the national tunic is known.  But public events and outdoor celebrations were promptly banned, and seamstresses were stuck with shops full of clothes that nobody needed. Now they’re fighting to survive.

Tsagaan Sar, or Lunar New Year, is Mongolia’s biggest annual holiday. Workers receive three paid vacation days, and festivals, fairs and home celebrations are part of the tradition. Colorful costumes and garments made by expert seamstresses and tailors highlight the events. It is the time of year when demand is at its highest.

Over two months after Mongolia’s annual Lunar New Year celebrations, the men and women who provide the vivid traditional costumes and outfits for holiday revelers are far from joyous. Public gatherings and events related to this year’s holiday were canceled in February, after concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus from neighboring China led officials to secure borders, suspend public transportation and close schools. As of 30 April, Mongolia had reported 38 confirmed cases – all imported, 10 recoveries and no deaths.

Even with the looming prospect of curfews and lockdowns, one mini-shop with eight seamstresses sewed over 400 costumes for the national holiday, which ran from Feb. 24-26 this year, hoping for high demand. By late March, 350 were still hanging in her shop.

Seamstresses and tailors have seen their business grind to a halt. Their dilemma is echoing through Mongolia, as small-business owners assess their losses during what is supposed to be the busiest time of year.

“Usually we get back to work within a week after celebrating the Lunar New Year,” tailor Ch.Chuluuntsetseg says. “But I told my employees that I would not be able to pay them and sent them home.” Chuluuntsetseg’s sewing workshop alone has had an average annual revenue of 60 million to 100 million MNT ($21,550 to $36,000) in the past. But so far in 2020, the shop has taken in only 6 million MNT ($2,154). Even though her landlord has reduced rent by 50%, Chuluuntsetseg says the business has gone bankrupt. That’s partly because Chuluuntsetseg owes 15 million MNT ($5,385) in loans.

In a National Chamber of Commerce and Industry survey conducted in early March, nearly 90% of small-business owners said COVID-19 prevention measures had significantly affected their businesses. Almost 60% of respondents said demand for goods and services had decreased. (source: globalpressjournal)