COVID-19: No registered massage therapists until at least June, says college - The Province

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"There must be a discussion of a plan that would allow therapists to return to treating their clients in a safe manner," says RMT Jeanie Bezdan.


Registered massage therapists will not return to work, even at reduced levels, until at least the end of May, and possibly the end of June, according to the College of Massage Therapists of B.C.

“In an online town hall held on the evening of April 20, Dr. (Bonnie) Henry said professions such as massage therapy, chiropractic and dentistry would be part of the ‘next phase’ of the provincial health officer’s planning, and emphasized that ‘we’re not at the point yet where we can let down our guard,’” the college states on its website.

“Also, both on April 20 and at her April 21 briefing, Dr. Henry made it clear that practice of such professions would not look the same, and that part of the PHO’s work will involve providing appropriate profession-specific guidance for a restricted, controlled return to practice.

“While we have no specific timeline for this to happen, it is unlikely to happen before the end of May, and perhaps not even before the end of June.”

All registered massage therapists stopped providing services on March 17, on the strong recommendation of the college, and the same day Henry banned the provision of personal services across B.C.

Henry later stated that the ban on personal services did not include health-care services provided by a registrant of a college of a health profession designated under the Health Professions Act — like RMTs.

However, a letter from Henry to all essential health service providers stated physical distancing had to be maintained, so RMTs cannot practise due to the nature of their profession.

Registered massage therapist Jeanie Bezdan is concerned with the health of her patients, particularly those who suffer migraines.

Bezdan is managing partner at Royal City Health and Manual Therapy in New Westminster, which employs eight RMTs and six physiotherapists.

She said that while physiotherapists can provide some online support to clients, massage therapists can’t.

So her business is preparing for a gradual reopening when the time comes.

“We don’t want to be left behind,” Bezdan said. “There must be a discussion of a plan that would allow therapists to return to treating their clients in a safe manner.”

Bezdan has created a plan for her office, including “considerations for the safety of our front staff, our therapists and clients.”

“This includes strict limits on the numbers of therapists working at one time, staggering appointments so patients do not come into close contact with each other, and thoroughly sanitizing the treatment areas between appointments.”

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