This has just been released by the British Register of Complimentary Practitioners (with all credit given)
It is important so please read carefully as Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are different in their approach.
From Monday 13 July, beauty salons, massage studios, physical therapy businesses and spas across England will be able to reopen safely.The guidance also applies to businesses that operate in different locations, such as massage therapists working in people’s homes, and those learning in vocational training environments.
Updated Covid-19 secure guidance found here:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services#close-contact-appendix sets out the measures that those providing close contact services should follow to protect staff and clients
Treatments that involve working in the highest risk zone – directly in front of the face – should not be made available to clients until government advice changes, due to the much greater risk of transmission.
Where 2 metre social distancing cannot be maintained, for example when providing a treatment, the person providing the service should wear further protection in addition to any that they may usually wear. This should be a clear visor that covers the face, or the use of a screen or other barrier that protects the practitioner and client from respiratory droplets caused by sneezing, coughing or speaking.
Businesses will need to keep records of staff and customers and share these with NHS Test and Trace where requested, to help identify people who may have been exposed to the virus. Practically this means that you will need to let your clients know that you may share their contact details when asked to as outlined on our News page at: https://brcp.uk/news/can-i-divulge-patient-details-to-tracing-officers
Businesses will only be able to open from these dates once they have completed a risk assessment and are confident that they are managing the risks. They must have taken the necessary steps to become Covid-19 secure in line with the current Health and Safety legislation found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/index.htm
Employers should display a downloadable notice in their workplaces to show their employees, customers and other visitors to their workplace, that they have followed this guidance.
Regarding the devolved governments of Scotland, N Ireland and Wales:In N Ireland, the Executive Office ratified on 2 July that ‘close contact businesses’ – which they have indicated include those offering nail, hair, beauty, barbers, tanning salons, electrolysis, acupuncture, piercing, reflexology, massage, complementary therapies and spa (but not ‘thermal treatment aspects, including saunas and steam rooms, hydrotherapy pools and cold and ice room’) can re-open from 6 July, subject to them adhering to the necessary safe working and social distancing measures and there being no increase in spread of the Coronavirus.
As far as we can gather the Executive Office has not produced any sector-specific guidelines for reopening these businesses. Links on the Executive Office website eventually lead to nibusinessinfo.co.uk (the official website for business advice and guidance in N Ireland), which then provides a link to the close contact services guidelines for England at the link above. We therefore advise our members in N Ireland to follow the close contact services guidelines produced for England in conjunction with previous return to work considerations that we’ve sent out.
In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that from 10 July, the country will be officially moving to Phase 3 of its route map out of lockdown. As such, the government has indicated that ‘personal retail services such as beauticians […] can re-open’, providing they follow enhanced hygiene measures (please refer to this news item and Phase 3 route map available on the Scottish government’s website).
Please note the Scottish government is yet to give a clear indication when massage and complementary therapy services can reopen. In a letter published online from the National Clinical Director clarifying the opening of massage and complementary therapy services (8 July), it states that, ‘In coming to a decision on those private therapies which involve close personal contact for extended periods, we must first assess properly the available clinical evidence. That process is currently underway and we will amend Scottish Government advice at the earliest opportunity, based on the outcome of that assessment. In the meantime, our official position is that therapy businesses not subject to statutory professional regulation should remain closed for the time being.’ We recommend that our Scottish members read the full letter here.
In Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that the Welsh government will consider a range of specific options for opening ‘personal care services’ with a view to these businesses being able to reopen on 13 July.
Best wishes and stay safe – ACHO