CONTINUED CLOSURE THROUGH MID-JUNE
On May 28, 2020 leadership from California Health & Human Services Agency (CHHS) communicated that massage therapy was re-opened for business. Afterwards, I implemented COVID-19 Enhanced Disinfection/Sanitation procedures and Pre-appointment Screening Measures in order to work with six separate clients from Saturday through Monday.
However, on Friday night at 915 pm, May 29th, CHHS retracted its earlier statement and clarified that massage therapy will remain closed for business until further notice.
I am very sorry for the conflicting and contradictory messaging and absolute piss poor interdepartmental leadership coordination provided by the State of California - particularly California Health & Human Services Agency and its subordinate departments: 1) Department of Public Health and 2) Department of Health Care Services - with respect to health care services that encompass massage therapy.
I sincerely apologize to my clients for accepting and setting appointments and then cancelling on short notice. I do not want to cause any harm or work in an unsafe fashion, neither do I want or intend to cause disruptions to others' daily work and family schedules. I appreciate everyone's support, patience and kindnesses throughout the last three months!
At this stage, I have no other option but to abruptly close my practice for a second time this year, with little or no warning due to the edicts issued by the California Health & Human Services Agency.
05/29/2020 Massage Therapy and the State of California
ReplyDeleteCAMTC COVID-19 Bulletin #18
Dear CAMTC Certificate Holders:
The information being shared on the status of our profession can be confusing as the continuing impacts of COVID-19 and the reopening of California merge.
CAMTC has been listening closely to the Governor and his Administration to seek their best guidance as to the safe opening of massage therapy. Our report yesterday was an accurate reflection of the information we received from the Administration.
Today, however, we received an additional communication from the Director of the Department of Health Care Services:
“I apologize but my answer was premature, and any decision about broader availability of massage therapy is a decision that should come from the California Department of Public Health and local health departments. So please wait for direction from CDPH and local health departments. I am sorry for any confusion my answer has caused. Thank you.”
The up-to-date reality is that the State is not yet giving counties permission for massage therapists to generally provide services in California.
Be Safe and Be Well,
Jeff Forman, Ph.D.
CAMTC Board Chair
Ahmos Netanel
CAMTC CEO
05/28/2020 Newsom Administration's Advice to CAMTC
ReplyDeleteCAMTC COVID-19 Bulletin #17
Dear CAMTC Certificate Holders:
CAMTC has been closely monitoring and reaching out to the Governor and the Administration for updates on the Stay in Place Order and where massage fits into the phases of reopening. Today, May 28, 2020, CAMTC received a message from the California Director of the Department of Health Care Services stating the following:
Although massage therapy has not been addressed specifically in State level announcements, the parallel with hair salons and barber shops that are providing one-on-one care for individuals seems appropriate. The precautions that were outlined regarding screening clients for illness, use of masks/face coverings by the massage therapist and client, staggering appointments so there is not contact between clients, etc. should be followed. Exceptions may be made by local health departments.
The State administration is therefore allowing massage to take place in the State, but the State guidelines for hair salons MUST be followed. Those guidelines can be found here: https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-hair-salons.pdf. Additionally, local county health and safety guidelines must also be followed, which means if your local county does not allow massage to occur, massage may still not be authorized to take place in your local jurisdiction. This is because while the State is generally allowing massage to occur, it has also acknowledged that cities and counties have the authority to impose stricter restrictions than the State.
The health and safety of Certified Massage Therapists and their clients continues to be of the utmost importance to all of us. So while you MUST follow the health and safety guidelines provided by the State and your local jurisdiction, we also urge you to consider following even stricter protocols during this unprecedented time. For some suggestions of recommendations for additional massage specific requirements, please see these guidelines provided by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards: Guidelines for Practice with COVID-19 Considerations. Please note that these guidelines were created by FSMTB, not CAMTC, and you are not required to comply with them; they are merely provided here as an additional resource.
Please remember that there are a lot of questions and unknowns related to COVID-19. By this message, CAMTC is not making any statements about whether it is or isn’t safe, risky, or appropriate for CAMTC Certificate Holders to provide massage at this time, or for clients to receive massage at this time.
Be well, stay safe and remain informed.
Jeff Forman, Ph.D. Ahmos Netanel
CAMTC Board Chair CAMTC CEO