Mumbai Trade Resumes with 10% of Workers

RAPAPORT... Indian authorities have allowed Mumbai's diamond and jewelry companies to reopen partially on condition that they limit their workforces and follow social-distancing rules.Trade members may operate with up to 10% of their staff members in order to fulfill export commitments, the state government of Maharashtra said in a statement Monday. No one from containment zones - coronavirus hot spots with restricted movement - can come to work."All norms of social distancing and precautions, as prescribed, shall be followed," the government added. "A medical doctor will be available on-site to ensure that all persons with [an] influenza-like illness are identified and segregated, and steps be taken as per protocol."The development marks the continued reopening of India's diamond industry, after eight cutting units in Surat resumed manufacturing and exports in the final week of April. Surat is the world's largest hub for diamond polishing, but many companies send their goods to headquarters in Mumbai for marketing and export.India introduced nationwide restrictions on movement on March 24 to contain the coronavirus, with the rules set to continue until May 17 at the earliest.Image: A polished diamond in tweezers. (Shutterstock)