Diamond cutting units in Surat have been allowed greater flexibility to operate from 31 July Saturday on condition that they will adhere to a set of norms that include mandatory Covid-19 tests for traders and staff, as per media reports.
Restrictions were imposed on the functioning of the units as Surat witnessed a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks.
“As per the SOP till July 31 declared by Surat Municipal Commissioner BN Pani, diamond units in Mahidharpura, Mini Bazar and Choksi Bazar localities could open between 2pm-6 pm, and only one worker was allowed on a polishing mill," said Dinesh Navadiya, Regional Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export promotion Council of India ( GJEPC).
“However, from August 1, the markets were allowed to open from 12 noon to 6 pm, and an additional worker is allowed to sit on a polishing mill provided he tests negative in a rapid antigen test conducted at the expense of the diamond units, or has recovered from the infection,” added Navadiya.
Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
Exclusive
Mmetla Masire: Okavango to resume diamond sales in January
Botswana’s state-owned Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) is set to resume diamond sales in January 2025, whether the market remains depressed or not. ODC managing director Mmetla Masire told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa on the side-lines of...
Today
Helga Pombal: Angola's Stardiam finds solution to the threat posed by lab-grown diamonds
Stardiam manager of production Helga Pombal told Rough&Polished's Mathew Nyaungwa on the sidelines of the Angola International Diamond Conference that lab-grown diamonds are creating a parallel market for more accessible stones, combined with lower...
11 november 2024
Ellah Muchemwa: ADPA to launch Africa's first diamond mining standard next year
The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), which is based in Luanda, Angola, and represents the interests of mainly African diamond producers and those with the potential to produce diamonds, will next year launch the Sustainable Development...
04 november 2024
Dmitry Fedorov: I want our jewelry to be displayed at a museum in the future
Dmitry Fedorov is the founder of the eponymous jewelry house. His main focus is the creation of Orthodox-inspired premium luxury jewelry of high artistic merit. He told Rough&Polished about his journey in the jewelry industry, about choosing the ‘Orthodox...
28 october 2024
Responsible business practices ‘no longer optional’, says WDC President Feriel Zerouki
The president of the World Diamond Council takes time out of her busy schedule to tell Rough&Polished readers about the critical work of the WDC. Zerouki, the first female present of the body, which includes all the important industry organizations among...
14 october 2024
