(IDEX Online) - Diamond trading is resuming in Antwerp this week ahead of the re-opening of the city's four bourses on Monday.
Trading halls at the Antwerp Diamond Bourse, the Antwerpsche Diamantkring, the Diamond Club of Antwerp and Vrije Diamnthandel have all been closed for business since 17 March after the Belgian government imposed a coronavirus lockdown.
"A two-month break is no joke," said one trader as he prepared to return to work. "I think it'll take another couple of months before people get back on their feet."
The bourse buildings have remained open, but trading halls have been closed, and members were urged to work from home as much possible and to avoid busy times on public transport if they did come in.
They'll have to observe social distancing rules when the bourses re-open on 11 May.