Yes, Governor Cuomo announced last Thursday, that Phase 3 would begin in many of the NYS Regions including the Finger Lakes Region. This meant that beginning on Friday, June 12, 2020 Personal Care Services (excluding Hair Salons and Barbers who were included in Phase 2) would be legally allowed to reopen.
Some Massage Practices anticipated the Phase 3 status and had collected PPE and Hand Sanitizer in order to reopen. They then needed to read the CDC Compliance Guidelines and file an action plan.
I am sharing the CDC Guidelines with YOU, here in this blog post. These guidelines are not specific to Massage Therapy but apply to aesthetics, tattoo, waxing/hair removal, piercing, appearance enhancement, tanning, nails, spas and cosmetology. They are broken down into sections with Mandatory Guidelines and Recommended Guidelines.
The first Category is "Physical Distancing" which is a total fallacy, because it is impossible to provide any kind of physical distancing while providing a personal car service (with the exception of maybe tanning). These physical distancing guidelines apply more to multiple occupancy businesses. Nail Salons with multiple stations, etc.
Under the Mandatory Category:
"Limit the workforce and customer presence to no more than 50% of maximum occupancy, inclusive of customers, who must maintain 6 ft. of separation from others, except during the service, and, in all cases, only be permitted entry in wearing an acceptable face covering; providing that the customer is over age 2 and medically able to tolerate one." This is redundant for sole practice massage therapists. Services are provided 1-1, with couples services being provided to people who are already exposed to each others germs.
"Ensure 6 ft. of distance between individuals at all times, unless safety or the core activity requires shorter distance (e.g. performing a tattoo/piercing,providing a massage, performing a manicure/pedicure). Employees must wear face coverings any time they interact with with customers (e.g. performing a service, ringing up a purchase) and any time they come withing 6 ft. of another person."
"Ensure that customer seating allows customers to maintain a 6 ft. distance from all others, except for the employee providing a service (e.g. tattoo and piercing workstations, massage tables, or salon workstations must be 6 ft. apart from each other), unless a physical barrier is in place in accordance with OSHA guidelines." This means NO COUPLES MASSAGES during Covid. Go to Health and I can accommodate same time couples appointments, but as our large treatment room does not allow for 6 feet between the massage tables, we will need to be in separate treatment rooms.
"Close waiting rooms"
"Put in place practices for adequate social distancing in small areas, such as restrooms and break rooms" We have a single person restroom, and no break room.
These are the Recommended Best Practices (but not REQUIRED)
"Implement 'by appointment only' policy to limit walk-in customers and congregation. ..." We have always been a By Appointment Only Business and will continue to operate as such.
"Ask customers to wait in cars or outside the personal care facility at least 6 ft. away until appointment time." I will place outdoor seating for those who do not wish to wait in their car. WE will ask that you text upon your arrival and wait for a responsive text directing you to enter the premises. I have always allowed extra time between appointments (and rarely 5 times in 5 years) had client overlap.
"Provide clearly designated, entrances and exits" This is not physically possible at our space, nor is it necessary if we have clients wait in the car or outside until invited inside.
With Regard to Workplace Activity:
Mandatory:
"Personal Care services that require customers to remove face coverings (e.g. lip/nose piercings, face massage, facials, lip/nose waxing) are prohibited." This indicates that it is MANDATORY that YOU wear a mask for your ENTIRE MASSAGE SERVICE. THIS might prove difficult while face down with the limited opening of a face cradle. I am going to test out being face down for 45 minutes with a face mask on before I decide to reopen. It may mean modifying all my services to be side-lying and supine (which I can absolutely do).
The remainder of the Mandatory Requirements apply ONLY to Tattoo/Piercing and Salons.
Recommended Best Practices:
"Facilities offering Massage therapy and spa services should:
Encourage the use of single-use tanning supplies such as eye protection, hair caps, foot protection, and lip balm" Wait, is it just me or does this NOT APPLY TO MASSAGE THERAPY AT ALL? Or are they asking using to provide single use caps, even though there is no data suggesting that hair is a transmitter for Covid-19?
"Adjust business hours as necessary to reduce density and enable enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures." This is not necessary for Momma Moon, as my current best practices include NYS compliant disinfection between clients to prevent the spread of germs (pre-Covid) and have only added wiping down door handles between clients (as well as the restroom if used). Door knobs and the restroom were cleaned 2x per day and as needed pre-Covid.
There are still Required and Recommended Guidelines for Workplace Activity, PPE, and Screenings. Join me tomorrow and we'll go over those.
At this point in time it is not possible to Momma Moon Massage to reopen. Beijing, China is experiencing its second wave of Covid after re-opening and I am waiting to see what happens. My Son's Health, My Health and Your Health are MORE important that making money. Yes, I know some of you are sore and/or stressed but we shall have to be patient together.
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