COVID-19: Restart Plan
This plan has been developed to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID- 19 in the massage therapy setting.
Coronavirus is transmitted via liquid droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The virus can enter through these droplets through the eyes, nose or throat if you are in close contact. The virus is not known to be airborne (e.g. transmitted through the particles floating in the air) and it is not something that comes in through the skin.
We at Braidwood Massage Therapy are taking every measure to ensure a safe environment and comfortable experience for our clients. We are following all of the health and safety guidelines outlined by the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia, the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control and the Provincial Officer; however, please understand that it is impossible to guarantee that clients will not come in contact with COVID-19.
Screening
Prior to Arrival:
If clients are experiencing any of the following symptoms, or have experienced them in the past 14 days,: fever, chills, sore throat, painful swallowing, stuffy or runny nose, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle aches, fatigue or loss of appetite, they are asked to please stay home and rebook when they have been well for 14 consecutive days
If patients have travelled outside of the province of British Columbia in the past 14 days, they must advise the therapist.
If patients have been in close contact with anybody exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or diagnosed with COVID-19 during the past 14 days, they must cancel their appointment and reschedule for 14 days later.
It is vitally important that patients respond to all screening questions truthfully.
The therapist will use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment tool on themselves daily and commit to canceling all appointments if symptoms appear.
Patients with higher risk profiles and/or weakened immune systems should consider alternatives for care and postpone treatment.
Upon Arrival:
Upon arrival, patients will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and/or exposure and will sign consent to the massage treatment form.
Booking Appointments
Upon booking, clients will receive a confirmation email with new guidelines and protocols. This is subject to change based on public health guidelines.
Personal Hygiene
We always have and will continue to commit to thoroughly washing our hands for at least 20 seconds before and after every treatment.
Clients are asked to use the hand sanitizer available at the entrance or wash their hands for at least 20 seconds when entering the building and after their treatment. Hand sanitizer will be available in the treatment room for the client and therapist to use before, during and after treatment
Enhanced Sanitization
Between treatments, to ensure thorough sanitization: all hard surfaces in the treatment room and high traffic areas will be sanitized using gloves with approved cleaners.: light switches, door knobs, chairs, stools, faucets, treatment table, table levers, face cradle and lotion bottles Like always, all linens will be laundered at high heat with disinfecting detergent.
Water service will only be available on demand.
All reading material will be removed from the waiting area
Physical Distancing
Clients are asked to wait outside the building or in their car prior to their treatment.
There will be a no handshaking or hugging policy.
Clients are now asked to not bring anybody in with them for their treatment. If this is an issue, clients must advise us beforehand to make an alternate arrangement.
Tissues will be available throughout the clinic: in the reception area, treatment room and washroom in order that clients and the therapist may use a tissue if needed,
Personal Protective Equipment
We will be wearing a mask for every treatment and will keep it on at all times.
Clients must wear a mask upon arrival for treatment. If they do not have a mask we will have disposable masks available available at the clinic.
Patients will wear their mask for the intake and assessment and again when they are lying supine and for any amount of time spent with the therapist after treatment.
We will have goggles and gloves available at the clinic in case the patient requests them to be worn.
Liability Insurance
Like always, all therapists carry Professional Liability Insurance.
No guarantees can been made that the client may not come in contact with COVID-19 during an appointment.
In the event that a patient tests positive for Covid-19 having been to a Massage Therapy Appointment within the 14- days prior to onset of symptoms, the client will contact the therapist and inform her of positive test results and possible transmission of the virus immediately.
In the event that a client alleges they Caught COVID-19 from the therapist: the therapist will immediately call public health at 8-1-1 to report the alleged transmission, providing both the name of the RMT and the name and contact details of the client.
The patient must agree to the release of this information under these circumstances in order to receive treatment. All massage therapy appointments will be cancelled and the therapist will stop providing services until Public Health has investigated and provided direction.
The therapist will immediately self-isolate until Public Health has investigated and provided direction.
In the Event That the Therapist Catches COVID-19 or Displays Symptoms of Covid-19: the therapist will immediately self-isolate, all public health at 8-1-1 to report the symptoms and equest access to Covid-19 testing.
If testing is granted:
All massage therapy appointments will be cancelled and the Therapist will cease to provide services until test results are returned negative. If testing proves positive the therapist will follow Public Health directives in informing patients treated over the previous 14 days about potential transmission.
If testing is not granted:
All massage therapy appointments will be cancelled and the Therapist will cease to provide services for a minimum of 10-days beyond the onset of symptoms, and/or until symptoms cease.
Informed Consent
In the current environment of COVID-19, informed consent requires that the client be informed and understands that:
- Any massage treatment involves some risk of COVID-19 transmission.
- The therapist is following protocol to help reduce or mitigate risk where possible, but that risk cannot be reduced to zero.
- The client consents to the treatment despite some risk; And the RMT will document the client’s consent in advance and at every treatment.
These protocols and procedures are in place based on current research and requirements of our college and public health authority. They will change and adapt as more information and restrictions lessen or increase. The guidelines are meant to protect both the therapists and clients from the transmission of COVID-19. The safety and health of our community remains our top priority and we will do our due diligence to protect our clients and their families. If you are not comfortable with the above requirements to receive your treatment, please wait to receive a treatment when these guidelines have changed. By consenting to these guidelines, you are making a commitment to the safety of yourself, Braidwood Massage Therapy staff and the community at large. Thank you.