Preparing to Re-open & COVID-19

Prepared on 06/20/2020

Prepared by Massage by Bertone LLC

With the NJ Governor’s most recent executive order, massage clinics (I don’t believe the word parlor is appropriate, it sends the wrong message) will be reopening on June 22.  After distilling all the information I found through the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) board, the Center for Disease Control indications, OSHA, and the Executive order itself.  There is a lot of redundancy, but I was able to compile the good information for me (massage practitioner) and for you (patients, friends, and family members).

I tried to make this as simple as possible, and I am highlighting the most important information.  We should mutually exercise the following recommendations whether you come to my practice or if you go to any other massage provider for a session. This is not only COVID-19 related, most of the rules have always been required. Let’s work together to avoid the spread of COVID:

1. Hand Washing with liquid disinfectant soap and water, or hand sanitizer, before and after the massage. If hand washing facilities are not available, licensees shall disinfect their hands with a bactericidal agent.
2. Clean Linens and drapes or disposable coverings shall be used for each client. The soiled disposable items shall be discarded into a container lined with a plastic bag, securely fastened, and disposed of daily into the regular trash disposal, unless otherwise specified by state and local health regulations. Cover massage tables or the warmer and padding, as well as porous, soft surfaces in plastic or comparable non-porous material and disinfect between patients.
3. Items to be disinfected and properly stored before and after the massage:

a) Any equipment that comes in contact with a patient, prior to the provision of massage and bodywork therapies for a client (basically everything listed below);
b) Exposed surfaces such as countertops, tables and sinks on a daily basis.
c) Any implements or tools used during massage and bodywork therapy (i.e., hot stones, massage tools, etc.)
d) Face cradles and armrests on all massage chairs and tables, prior to the provision of massage and bodywork therapies for a client;
e) All ice and heat pack equipment;
f) Any tool or utensil used to transfer a lubricant from one container to another or from a container to a client which is not disposed of after use;
g) Any portion of a lubricant pump dispenser or lubricant tube touched by the massage practitioner during the provision of massage and bodywork therapy services.
h) Store massage lubricants in sanitary containers and keep lubricant containers free of debris;
i) Store lubricants according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and separately from cleaning supplies, and after completion of services to every patient, disinfect the container. If any portion of the container was touched during the massage, it should be disposed.
j)  If the massage therapist uses lubricant that is not contained in a pump dispenser, tube or squeeze bottle, the lubricant must be removed from the main container, disposed of, and the container must be disinfected after each use;
k) Store all single service materials, linens off the floor in shelves, containers, cabinets or closets (nothing should be touching the floor);
l) Soiled linens and draping materials shall be commercially laundered or washed in a clothes-washing machine, in hot water with detergent and at least one cup of bleach or an antibacterial agent and dried on the high heat setting in a clothes dryer;
m) Clean linens and dirty linens shall be stored separately;
n) When a message is provided in a temporary location, such as a sporting event, the licensee shall sanitize all equipment in accordance with this section;
o) Maintain a clean environment in the massage and bodywork therapy establishment and shall ensure that the establishment is well-lit and ventilated;
p) Maintain the area where massage is being performed free of animals, except as permitted by law;
q) Provide access to a restroom for patients;
r) Repair any holes and tears in the treatment surface so as to maintain the surface integrity of the treatment surface;
s) Adhere to infection control guidelines by cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas routinely, and after each use, and at the end of the day, particularly in areas that are accessible to staff or other individuals, including restroom facilities, toilet and sink knobs, light and fan switches, countertops, floors, doorknobs, handrails, water fountains, phones, shared equipment, credit card machines, keypads, displays, and display products (unless kept in an enclosure out of the reach of patients). CDC link

4. Modifications regarding COVID-19:

• Limiting services to appointment-only;
• Decline to provide services to any patients without a pre-scheduled appointment that has been arranged by telephone, text messaging, or online; no walk-ins shall be permitted.
• Performing health screening, including temperature checks, on patients (and provider) prior to entry to the clinic. Screen prior to the appointment all patients scheduled for appointments via a telephonic or online consultation or questionnaire that includes the screening questions:
• It’s indicated that you do not have a massage if you answer yes to any of this:
  • Have you or anyone in your household ever been diagnosed with Covid-19?
  • Have you or anyone in your household shown any of the following symptoms in the last 7 days?
  • Have you or anyone in your family been advised by your doctor as being clinically vulnerable?
  • Are you or anyone in your family currently suffering from cancer,
  • Bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs Respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), homozygous sickle cell)
  • On immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection as well as Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired
  • Have you recently traveled abroad?
  • Have you noticed any new rashes on your body or feet?
  • Have you experienced any pain or cramping in your legs/calves?

These questions are not intended to replace medical doctor recommendations or advice!  Please already consult with your physician before receiving any type of therapeutical service, including massage therapy. Certain conditions cause caution or contraindications, besides COVID-19.

• Requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and requiring patients and provider to wear face coverings at all times, regardless of the service they are receiving, unless face down on a massage table or where doing so would inhibit an individual’s health;
• Ensuring that all staff-client pairs maintain at least six feet distance between other staff-client pairs, unless separated by physical barriers;
• Adopting enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices; and
• Staying informed about new developments and guidance related to COVID-19 (see item 5).
• Nothing in the Executive Order shall prevent the provision of services to a person that is confined to their home and unable to travel due to a disability, if these services 1) are permitted under existing statutes and regulations and 2) are provided in a manner that substantially complies with the standards issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs and Department of Health (DOH).
• Install physical barriers, if feasible, to minimize client contact with staff in the reception area.
• Utilize floor markers (such as signs or tape) to designate six-foot distance in common areas of the premises, including the reception and/or waiting area, client service stations, bathrooms, and employee break rooms. Seating in the reception and/or waiting area shall be rearranged or removed to ensure that individuals are seated at least six feet apart.
• Reconfigure the premises to ensure that staff-client pairs maintain at least six feet distance between any other staff-client pairs at all times, unless separated in private closed-rooms or by physical barriers. No more than one person may provide services to a client at any given time. Staff and patients who are not providing or receiving services shall remain six feet apart at all times unless separated by physical barriers. In order to allow for required social distancing, licensees and owners should consider allowing for additional spacing, using divider shields, and/or establishing alternative work schedules.
• Utilize pre-payment or remote, contactless payment options, when possible. If the point of sale equipment is utilized that requires a signature or a PIN, then equipment shall be disinfected after each use. If the exchange of cash is unavoidable, cash should be placed on the counter and not exchanged hand-to-hand. In addition, staff accepting cash shall wipe the counter between each transaction and wash their hands with soap or utilize hand sanitizer after each transaction. I accept Venmo, PayPal, Square, or you can pay directly on my website: www.massagebybertone.com.
• Establish an isolated area for the delivery of supplies and materials.
• Clean all surfaces at the premises with hot soapy water, or cleaning wipes prior to reopening and before disinfecting. Hard non-porous surfaces, such as glass, metal, and plastic and all tools should be disinfected even if they were cleaned before the premises were closed.
• Remove items that are intended to be used by multiple persons and are difficult to disinfect to reduce the risk of transmission, including magazines/books/newspapers or other publications; candy dishes; product testers/samples; any and all open food or self-service food or beverage stations (except for contactless beverage dispensers accompanied by single-use cups); and toys.
• Have hand sanitizers available for use by patients and providers.
• Train all staff on the importance of reporting symptoms of illness, infection control procedures, cleaning, and disinfection, social distancing, proper use of PPE, cough and sneeze etiquette and hand-washing as often as possible, but always after eating, smoking, using the restroom, removing any PPE, and before and after providing client services.
• Post signs at the entrance of the premises stating that services will not be offered on a walk-in basis as well as signs in common areas and restrooms to advise patients of the importance social distancing, hand washing for at least 20 seconds, face- coverings, and proper coughing and sneezing etiquette. CDC link.

5. Stay Informed About Developments and Obligations

• Monitor guidelines and directives issued by the New Jersey Department of Health, the Massage Board, the CDC, and OSHA on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain an appointment book with contact information regarding patients served, as well as a daily log of staff, and submit such information if requested to do so by, or on behalf of, the Department of Health or the local board of health.
• Notify the local health department immediately if it is suspected that any person who is known to have contracted COVID-19 was on the premises while COVID- 19 positive and cooperate with contact tracing efforts.

This document was prepared for informational use only.  Thank you for choosing Massage by Bertone LLC.

www.massagebybertone.com