HOW TO MASSAGE DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

Wading through all of the conflicting information regarding the coronavirus is not an easy task. Without solid leadership or guidelines, each business has been left making big decisions as to how to protect their clients. My goal is to be as transparent as possible, so that my clients can feel good about their informed decision to be in my care. Many of the guidelines outlined below were already in place, but some are new – if you have further questions, do not hesitate to text me for clarification.

First, know that I am a small business and sole practitioner, which means that on any given day there will only be a maximum of 4 clients, one at a time, plus me in my massage space…. with lots of time in between. This is a lot less than other stores or indoor spaces.

*UPDATE October 2020 – I am STILL following all guidelines I did back in June when I reopened, I do not believe it is appropriate to “relax” any policies just yet!

THE AIR:

FILTRATION: Scrubbing the air is the most important detail in covid sanitation, from what I have read. I have added a HEPA 5-stage air filter that is the gold standard for removing viruses from the air. It removes 99.9% of virus particles in one hour, in spaces much larger than mine. Read more about it here: https://www.rabbitair.com/pages/biogs-hepa-filtration
MASKS: I wear a mask to set up your room and throughout your time with me.
OZONE: I run an ozone machine at the end of the day. Ozone gas has been proven to destroy viruses and is therefore excellent at disinfecting small rooms.

SURFACES:

DISINFECTING: I will change every sheet, towel, fleece soft thing and blanket in between clients. Every surface in massage room, bathroom and all doorknobs and light switches will be sprayed with an EPA approved disinfectant and left for 10 minutes before wiping. (Almost everything has been removed from the massage room, including rugs, crystals, tchotchkes etc for easier disinfecting – it is very minimalist but the fewer surfaces, the better.)
TOOLS: Stones and cupping tools are disinfected and placed in UV cabinet after each use. Warm neck pillows have removable covers – the covers are washed and the neck pillow is placed in the UV cabinet after each use (I have 6 at each location, so each client gets a new pillow and I disinfect them all at the end of the day).
GLOVES: I have disposable gloves and can use them for your massage upon request.

I AGREE TO:

Change my entire outfit including mask in between clients.
Wash my hands up to and including elbows in between clients.
Practice strict social distancing – I am essentially isolating with my partner, other than seeing clients. I do curbside where available and only go into a store when it is something essential.
Cancel all appointments if I come into contact with someone with covid or feel any signs of illness.

YOU AGREE TO:

Wear a mask – if you find you can’t breathe with the mask on in the face-down position, I can make a hammock-style fitting for the face cradle with a pillowcase for you.
Wait 14 days before scheduling if you have traveled anywhere by airplane, boat or bus.
Wait 14 days before scheduling if you have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for covid.
Cancel your appointment if you feel any symptoms of any type of illness, not just covid.