Indian Jewelers Seek Covid Exemptions
April 12, 21
(IDEX Online) - Jewelers in India's Maharashtra state are lobbying the government for permission to open, despite a Covid-ban on all but essential businesses.
April is traditionally a busy month, with Gudi Padwa (Hindu lunar new year) and a number of other harvest festivals, as well as the start of the wedding season.
Maharashtra, with a population of 110m, currently has a night-time curfew and weekend lockdowns but is expected to announce a full lockdown in coming days.
The trade body All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) has made representations to the state's chief minister, warning that retailers will miss out on a sales spike of up to 40 per cent.
Meanwhile Mumbai's Bharat Diamond Bourse - the world's biggest - is reportedly working at 20 to 30 per cent capacity, with strict Covid rules.