It is been a long time that people around the world are struggling with a deadly and highly contagious virus named coronavirus or COVID-19. Lots of businesses like massage offices shut down by government order. Although a huge number of people around the world lost their lives because of this virus, we are still hoping to get back to our normal lifestyle. With a stay at home orders and social distancing recommendations in North Carolina, we feel this need more than ever to get to a Spa or a massage office to get a relaxing massage. Maybe massage can help us to get away from all stress and pain that we had in the last months.
North Carolina BMBT and State government rules and safety protocols for getting massage during COVID-19 outbreak
As soon as we think about getting massage these questions pop up in our minds.
Is it safe to get massage during the covid-19 outbreak?
In this article, we try to inform you about the CDC, North Carolina board of massage therapy, and state of North Carolina government rules and safety protocols on how massage businesses can operate to protect client health.
Remember, every day we learn something new about coronavirus (COVID-19), therefore our protocol should get updated from time to time. This information can be not %100 accurate.
Is it safe to get massage during the COVID-19 outbreak
It is a very hard decision to make, we need to keep our social distancing to prevent coronavirus from spreading, we also want to get back to our normal life. What should we do?
NEW NORMAL is a word that we hear it a lot these days. It reminds us, we need to adjust our life with new conditions and learn how to live with that for a long time. We need to make these adjustments at massage clinics, too.
State of North Carolina rules and safety protocol to control coronavirus spread
To practice social distancing and prevent of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 23rd, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order No. 120 which orders that all establishments like massage offices which people work in close proximately or service personnel are in direct contact with client need to shut down their practice as of 5:00 PM on Wednesday, March 24, 2020. We all remember that day. It was shocking but necessary for public health.
On May 20, 2020, Governor Cooper issued EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 141 which provides for Phase 2 of easing restrictions on travel, business operations, and mass gatherings in North Carolina.
With this executive order massage offices in North Carolina were able to restart their practice again as long as they are in compliance with the following requirements: to protect clients from coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Limit clients inside the establishment of Emergency Maximum Occupancy. Emergency Maximum Occupancy for massage offices is fifty percent of stated fire capacity. In this situation, clients can be at least six feet apart
- Massage therapists should be at least six feet apart. They also required to wear face cover or mask all time, somehow their nose and mouth be covered at all times.
- Seats should arrange somehow that place six feet away from each other.
- Post the Emergency Maximum Occupancy in a noticeable place.
- Post signs noticing employees and clients need to have six feet social distancing, wearing a mask, and people with fever or flu symptoms related to coronavirus (COVID-19) do not enter the office.
- Employees need to get checked daily for coronavirus (COVID-19) related symptoms with writing questionnaires and forehead thermometer before they entre establishment.
- Clients recommended getting checked daily for coronavirus (COVID-19) related symptoms with writing questionnaires and forehead thermometer before they entre establishment.
- Immediately isolate and remove sick massage therapists.
- Frequently and after each client performs environmental cleaning and disinfection of high-touch areas with an EPA-approved disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2.
- Make sure furniture and massage tables get disinfected carefully between 2 sessions.
- Make sure clients have 6 feet distancing at checkouts and point of sale stations.
We hope with this protocol we can continue our services to clients and also keep our clients safe, happy, and healthy.
What I need to know before I get massage at this time
This is an unexpected time. Everyone tries to make their part to get back to our normal life again. Living a happy life, a life without fear of disease. We love to see each other smile, again. We want to be able to hug each other without fear of disease. And IT WILL HAPPEN, SOON.
Meanwhile, we need to protect our friends, family, and ourselves.
We need to apply massage safety protocol and social distancing. We need to remember coronavirus carriers may not have any symptoms, but they can still make others sick. The virus can transmit during the massage.
Do I need to wear a mask when I get massage
Yes, wearing mask for a therapist is required and for clients are highly recommended.
CDC recommended wearing a mask in public, especially in areas that practicing social distancing is not possible. Wearing mask prevent a person who has the virus from spread it to a larger distance.
Last word
Social distancing means distance from each other physically. We need to remember emotionally we need to get closer to each other every day. To be able to pass through this tough time.
Remember our neighbors and people who are in need. Help each other, Most of the local massage offices need your attention more than multi-store massage franchises. If you need to get a massage
your business can help them a lot to survive. If we like to see our favorite massage therapist years later down the road, it is our responsibility to help them to keep their business up and running. If not, we may not see those familiar greetings and smiles again.
Be healthy, happy, and hopeful that we pass this hard time safely, together.
