At last we appear to have a date to reopen for massage. That date is tentatively going to be June 19, 2020!
And there are new protocols to follow for this covid-19 era.
I have a number of protocols from my massage association (Canadian Massage & Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association). I’m only going to be referring to those that involve single therapist/employee locations. The changes are similar for mobile therapists. You can keep up to date with the documents. They’re posted here: https://cmmota.com. The most recent documents are dated June 9, 2020.
I haven’t seen what other associations have presented to their membership, but I’m assuming it’s similar. Don’t hesitate to contact your therapist or their association to find out more.
The emphasis is, of course, on client comfort and care.
There will be lot of changes going on “behind the scenes” to ensure your safety as well as your comfort. Only a few of these will be noticed by you. That way we can get back to the whole reason you’re there: to have a massage!
Please, if you have heard anything that seems to contradict what I’ve written above or if something sounds totally “outlandish”, don’t hesitate to contact me and we can resolve it.
There’ll be plenty of time for your session. You don’t need to feel rushed by these new protocols.
Before booking or during your appointment confirmation, we will be having a chat! I’ll be asking you a couple of questions about your health and your circumstances:
- Are you experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing or have been in contact with someone diagnosed with covid-19 or someone who is experiencing a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, runny nose, sore throat, or shortness of breath?
- Have you or someone living in the same household as you, travelled outside of the province within the last 14 days?
If the answer to either of these questions is yes then I’ll be asking that you not book with me. Instead, I’ll ask you to complete the government self-isolation protocol at https://www.alberta.ca/isolation.aspx
If you are a new client, I have a Health Intake form to be completed before you arrive.
Within 24 hours of your appointment, please complete the self test at https://ca.thrive.health/covid19/en. If the test recommends that you be tested (or must self-isolate), please call me up to cancel your appointment.
If you feel sick or unwell for any reason after we have confirmed your appointment, please call me and we can reschedule. This isn’t supposed to be an endurance test!
Please bring along your own water and a pen.
I’ll provide you with a face mask immediately upon your arrival. This needs to stay on until you leave the premises.
You will then have hand sanitizer available to use (after removing coats and footwear).
Together, we shall go through an intake process that includes Covid-19 Intake Form. I can email you a copy after your session is complete if you wish.
Temperature taking is not, as yet, required.
I’ll have my own Therapist Health Disclosure Form for you to sign.
The disinfectants used are approved by the Government of Canada and can be seen at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19/list.html
Payment will be by eTransfer to rob@robhodgins.com
These new measures will be in place for the forseeable future.
Note: This post was last updated June 25, 2020.