Mark One Apparel is closed with no ongoing production, owner and managing director Mark Halabe said from Australia.

He made the remark following questions over the Valelevu-based factory allegedly open for business on Sunday.

Garment factories are not listed under essential services.

The Textile Clothing and Footwear Council, which Mark One Apparel is a member of, said critical equipment in factories could not be abandoned.

“There are some machines that need technicians on it every two to three days,” council president, Mike Towler said.

The council comprises 50 members that export predominantly to New Zealand and Australia.

Mark One Apparel employs 350 people.

The factory has operated for the past 22 years out of the Central Division’s tax free zone.

The company came under the spotlight for being one of two garment factories that was forced to temporarily close over concerns of a COVID-19 related scare.

SunBiz received allegations that Mark One Apparel remained open, despite concerns over the situation.

Mr Halabe said: “Where essential staff had been at the factory under strict COVID-safe environment, there would have been two per cent of staff, to ensure critical areas of the factory would not be impacted on the shutdown.”

The multi-million dollar industry employs seven thousand people.

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