Updated Coronavirus Statement
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Massage & Myotherapy Australia's highest priority is the health and safety of our members, their clients and our staff. With the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide, therapists may become concerned with how the virus could affect their clinic and the best way to protect their own health. Massage & Myotherapy Australia recommends therapists ensure they are familiar with best practice standards around infection control and monitor recommendations from the Australian Government Department of Health updates. The Association cannot, and will not direct members to close their business. It is the responsibility of each member to consider their clients, their vulnerability and own health based on the information within the health updates and make an informed and educated decision on their own individual risk assessment. Massage & Myotherapy will take guidance from respected global health organisations and medical advisors and in alignment with various government restrictions.
It is important to ensure detailed clinical record keeping is maintained, including Informed Consent and Contraindications. While therapists have the right of refusal for any clients who may be suffering an illness, keep in mind Australia's anti-discrimination laws. Hygiene and infection control is paramount. Ensure you are disinfecting all surfaces that may have come into contact with any virus, including objects you may not have considered in the past (e.g. doorknobs, buttons). For further information, review the Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice chapter Hygiene and Infection Control.
What Can You Do?
The best thing you can do, is ensure you stay familiar with the government's guidelines, continue to work when it is safe to do so and ensure your health and those around you is the first consideration.
You can update your Informed Consent to address the risk factors associated with COVID-19, ask your clients how they are feeling, have they been unwell? Have they presented any symptoms?
When a client is booking, and when they present for treatment, consider the following:
- Has your client travelled internationally recently?
- Do you present any symptoms?
- Have they spent time with anyone who is confirmed to have COVID-19?
When a client arrived for treatment reiterate the question and ask them if they have been overseas. If they have, you can ask them when they landed in Australia, and from what country. This determines the risk levels you are exposed to.
Politely ask your clients to cancel and reschedule the appointment for 14 days following arrival back into Australia from any international country. Politely ask your clients to reattend their treatment once it is appropriate to do so.
Resources:
Massage & Myotherapy Australia Events
At this stage it is business as usual, workshops, regional meetings and Conference have not been cancelled at this time as none of these events fall under the current government guidelines restricting gatherings of 500 or more people. We ask everyone to take personal responsibility with their health and infection control.
We ask that you do not attend hands on events if you are feeling unwell. We ask that you do not attend a Massage & Myotherapy Australia hands on event 14 days following arrival back into Australia for all other international travel. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Business Closures
The Association has received queries from therapists who are concerned about business closures, at this time it is business as usual, providing you are following the above guidelines and maintaining exemplary hygiene and infection control. Risk assessment and analysis is a personal decision and one every therapists must endeavour to take.