Durban based entrepreneurial success story, Expand A Sign, has developed and secured orders for innovative washable and reusable face masks that will help South Africa to stem the spread of the highly infectious COVID-19 virus.

Chief executive, Don Bailey, says that Expand A Sign, which manufactures portable branding solutions such as gazebos, banners and inflatables for major events worldwide, had shut down for the lockdown. 

Now, it has an opportunity to support our staff and their families during the lockdown.

The masks have been successfully tested using a hospital autoclave machine to prove they can withstand temperatures of up to 130 degrees. This means that, unlike conventional disposable masks, they can be washed, sterilised and used again. 

“These are not the medical grade masks that our health workers require, but masks that can help you and your employees to reduce the spread of the virus. We have developed a mask that is made of two pieces of locally woven 100 percent polyester 200gsm fabric, essentially doubling the barrier effect.  It also has a handy internal pouch and elastic for an easy fit,” he explains.

Masks prevent the spread of COVID-19 by trapping particles on the inside of a mask, preventing droplets from becoming airborne and either falling on others or surfaces from which they are transmitted by touch. Masks also limit hand to face contact by acting as a physical barrier between potentially contaminated hands and the mouth and nose.

Bailey, who has turned an unlikely opportunity into a business success story more than once in the history of this family owned business, said that Expand A Sign’s ability to make its own fabrics together with the sewing skills of its workforce, made it the perfect company to help manufacture this product. 

Already, the company uses fabric offcuts from its branding products to make a range of Uzwelo bags. It employs community members to sew and donates a percentage to the Bateleurs, a non-profit organisation that includes pilots and aircraft owners who assist conservationists.

“As a business, we’ve always been innovation and service driven, whilst ensuring we are community focused and give back to South Africa. Now is no different. We tend to focus on what we can do, instead of what we can’t. That’s why we asked ourselves how we could help make a difference for the greater well-being of our communities and our employees,” he says.

Instead of having to contemplate retrenching staff, Bailey said he was grateful to be able to offer his employees an opportunity to continue to work and earn money to support their families during this difficult period.  

Expand A Sign applied for and was granted permission to operate as an essential service to produce these masks.  It began fine tuning the design and quality testing the masks last week. From next week, everyone will be working hard to fill the orders secured from businesses across industries. There is growing interest from across the globe.

Bailey says although evidence that wearing face masks reduces the spread of the COVID-19 virus is largely anecdotal at this early stage, there are already significant indications that western countries where mask wearing is not favoured are experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 infection than Asian countries where wearing masks was widely accepted even prior to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Japan has the strongest mask-wearing culture in the world and one of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates. On March 18, the Czech Republic made it mandatory to wear a mask while in public. It has one of the lowest COVID-19 infection and death rates in Europe.

“Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has advised all South Africans to use masks, especially when using public transport. I am pleased that our staff can help ensure that we do not have shortages of masks whilst still earning a living to take care of their families,” Bailey adds.

Bailey urged South Africans to take every precaution possible to prevent transmission of this virus to others. This not only includes wearing protective masks but regularly washing hands and practising social distancing protocols.