Massage therapy is a high-contact service that comes with a lot of risk during the pandemic. Thankfully, massage therapy centers have finally been permitted to open up as long as they follow a list of health and safety guidelines. Employees should be trained to follow these new safety protocols for massage therapy, and they should also sign a statement acknowledging new rules and agreeing to follow them. Here’s what massage center operators should know about keeping themselves and their clients safe while still providing quality massage therapy services. These are the new Covid-19 safety protocols.
Face Masks Required
In order to keep others safe, every employee is required to wear a face mask while at work. Clients should be required to wear masks as well. Face masks keep bodily fluids like spit and mucus from accidentally making contact with others when you speak. Even if everyone in your establishment is social distancing, masks are still a necessary precaution. Masks can be removed for short moments if needed, but should always be kept on whenever possible. Businesses can promote mask-wearing with signs and by making disposable masks available to their clients. These new Covid-19 safety protocols keep everyone safe.
Employee Health Screenings
Before allowing employees or contractors to enter your establishment, they should be screened to ensure that nobody who might be carrying the virus is allowed inside. If an employee or contractor has any of the following symptoms of COVID-19, they should be sent home:
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- Cough/Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- chills/shaking
- Loss of taste/smell
- Fever or temperature 100 degrees (F) or higher
- Contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
Don’t allow employees to return to work until three days after recovery and at least ten days after symptoms first started. If an employee has had contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, they should complete a 14-day self-quarantine period. If the employee wishes to return before the quarantine period is over, they should get a doctor’s note first. Making sure you are not sick is one of the most important new Covid-19 safety protocols.
Hygiene Supplies
Supplies should be available to your staff and clients to promote hygiene and cleanliness. This includes alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, disposable masks and gloves, disinfectants, sinks for hand washing with hot and cold water, paper towels, and a no-contact trash can.
Client Protocol
It might be best to start screening clients before they can come into your establishment. No-contact thermometers, like a forehead thermometer, are best for this. If you have to use a thermometer that makes contact, don’t use it without changing the disposable guard or disinfecting it first.
Clients should be limited in how many people they can bring with them, and all clients should be required to wear a face mask. Walk-ins should be prohibited and clients should be required to make an appointment ahead of time. Ask your clients to call ahead and cancel or reschedule if they start to experience any of the common COVID-19 symptoms listed above. These new Covid-19 safety protocols will keep you and your clients safe.
Massage Therapy Services and School at Hands On Approach
Keep yourself and others safe with these new Covid-19 safety protocols. Whether you’re looking for a great massage therapist or studying to become one, you’re sure to find what you need at Hands On Approach. We offer top-notch massage therapy from experienced, licensed therapists, as well as a school for anyone looking to get licensed. Relax with a soothing massage or further your career at our quality massage school. Contact us or visit our website to schedule a massage or enroll at Hands On Approach today!