South African online stores can now sell any product other than booze and cigarettes. Once the country moves to level 3, alcohol will be made available for purchase. At the same time, online stores must now promote local goods.
“In order to limit the social and economic hardship caused by the pandemic on local industries and enable consumer choice to support local producers, retailers must give prominence to those goods which are manufactured in the Republic of South Africa,” the new rules read.
In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, retailers must provide written guidelines for customers on how to safely disinfect their purchased goods. Customers are encouraged to sanitize everything when they receive it from the couriers, as well as wear masks when receiving the goods at their doors.
“We are very pleased to see that the government has decided to open up e-commerce at Level 4 fully, thank you,” said Kim Reid, the CEO of Takealot. “We have been at the forefront of the lobbying process as we believe that it is the safest way to transact at this time. We hope that it is not to late for many small businesses to make up for lost opportunities and save jobs.”
Be safe and take care.
