Voluntary shut down of Surat diamond units till July 19

Surat: The diamond cutting and polishing units in Surat are not likely to reopen from Tuesday with the diamantaires deciding to keep their factories voluntarily shut till July 20 due to rising Covid-19 infections among those associated with the diamond industry.
Following the sudden spurt in coronavirus cases from the diamond hub of Varachha and Katargam, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) had issued a notification for the mandatory closure of the diamond units till July 13.
Official sources said over 50% of the Covid-19 cases were reported from Katargam and Varachha zones in the last 10 days. Out of the total 2,043 cases, 1,047 cases were reported from Katargam and Varachha.
The Surat Diamond Association (SDA) has appealed the diamond units and the markets to observe voluntary shutdown for a week.
Responding to the call, the diamond merchants in Varachhha’s Mini Bazaar and Mangadh Chowk have voluntarily decided to shut the market till July 19. Also, the safe deposit vaults in Varachha will remain shut till July 19.
Babu Kathirya, president of SDA told TOI, “For the safety of our workers, traders and unit owners, we have urged them to keep their units and markets voluntarily shut for a week.”
President of Surat Diamond Merchants’ Association (SDMA), Nandlal Nakrani said, “Except for Mahidhapura diamond market, the diamond markets in Varachha will remain shut for a week. There are very less cases in Mahidhapura and the merchants have started the office following the SOP issued by the SMC.”
Chairman of Shree Ramkrishna Export (SRK), Govind Dholakiya told TOI, “For the safety of our workers and ourselves, we have unanimously decided to keep the factories shut till July 20. We will review the situation after July 20 and then take a call on whether to commence operations or not.”
Spokesperson of Dharmanandan Diamonds told TOI, “We will restart the unit from Tuesday, but the workers have been told to take decision whether they want to come on duty or not. Even if they don’t come, it is fine. The safety of workers is paramount for us.”