Expanded list of clothing now allowed for sale under Level 4

©Vladyslav Starozhylov via 123RF

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel said the new rules are applicable immediately and for the duration of Level 4.

Some of the directives have been described as "bizarre" and include the unbanning of the sale of short sleeve t-shirts, but only if its “promoted and displayed as undergarments for warmth". And both long and short-sleeved shirts are unbanned, but only when "displayed and promoted to be worn under jackets coats and/or knitwear".

Full list of clothing, footwear and bedding permissible for sale

• All baby and toddler clothing and footwear

• All children’s wear, including: outerwear, underwear, sleepwear, schoolwear and school shoes, footwear, socks, and "related accessories"

• All maternity wear

• All adult sleepwear and gowns

• All adult underwear

• The following adult footwear categories: boots, slippers, closed-toe heels, closed-toe flat shoes, sneakers and trainers, smart closed-toe shoes and casual closed-toe shoes

• The following adult outerwear categories: activewear (that includes gym, running and other exercise apparel), knitwear, jackets and coats, dresses, long-sleeved tops, long-sleeved t-shirts, denim jeans and denim jackets, pants, skirts, short-sleeved knit tops "where promoted and displayed as worn under cardigans and knitwear", short-sleeved t-shirts "where promoted and displayed as undergarments for warmth", leggings, crop bottoms worn with boots and leggings, shirts (either short- or long-sleeved) where displayed and promoted to be worn under jackets coats and/or knitwear, golf shirts, and one-pieces such as bodysuits

Patel meets with clothing and textile industry

6 May 2020

• The following adult accessories: shawls and scarves, beanies, gloves, socks, belts, headwear, gym and exercise apparel accessories, and hair accessories

• The following bedding categories: baby bedding and blankets, duvets, duvet inners, blankets, comforters, quilts, mattress protectors, pillows, throws, sheets and pillowcases, and electric blankets

The Minister expressed his appreciation for the positive tone of the engagement with industry stakeholders.

“Restarting more parts of our economy is important and we are working hard to ensure that industry follow best practice to protect health and safety of all our citizens. The discussions with industry builds on the greater cooperation that arose from the Industry Masterplan for the retail-clothing, textile and footwear industry,” said Patel.

He also called on consumers to purchase locally made products.

“I call on consumers to look for South African-made products, made proudly by local workers, so that we can rebuild the economy. The manufacturing and retail sector has been through a very difficult time and the resumption of clothing sales under Level 4 of the new risk-adjusted approach, will assist to provide greater levels of production and commerce in the sector,” he said.