South Africa recently published a more detailed list of clothing to be sold in the first phase of easing of lockdown, offering relief to the country’s clothing industry. Confusion prevailed after the government in April said clothing retailers will be allowed to sell winter and baby clothes and bedding, without clarifying what falls under those categories.
Under the new regulations, the permitted categories include all children’s and baby wear, maternity wear, adult sleepwear, underwear and footwear, outwear items such as exercise apparel and winter clothes such as knitwear.South Africa recently published a more detailed list of clothing to be sold in the first phase of easing of lockdown, offering relief to the country's clothing industry. Confusion prevailed after the government in April said clothing retailers will be allowed to sell winter and baby clothes and bedding, without clarifying what falls under those categories.#
According to minister of trade, industry and competition Ebrahim Patel, the resumption of apparel sales would boost production and commerce in the sector, according to a news agency report.
The list was welcomed by the National Clothing Retail Federation, which includes TFG, Mr Price, Truworths, Woolworths, Pick n Pay Clothing and Queenspark, and by the Apparel & Textiles Association of South Africa (ATASA).
The National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry of South Africa welcomed the list, terming it “a good first step to getting the full industry back to work at Level 3 subject to strict health protocols”.
The Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) also hailed the new regulations and said they will help ensure the nation’s vision of promoting domestic industrialisation instead of relying on imports.
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