What's New Since Covid-19?
It is estimated that 48% of transmission is caused by droplets in the air and can happen before any symptoms appear, indeed many people have no symptoms at all. Transmission can be direct from mouth, eyes or noses of people nearby (within 2m of each other or in enclosed spaces) or transmission can be caused by touching surfaces on which the droplets have landed.
To ensure safe working and avoid accidental transmission of the disease a number of new precautions have been put in place:
As a client you will be required to:
It is estimated that 48% of transmission is caused by droplets in the air and can happen before any symptoms appear, indeed many people have no symptoms at all. Transmission can be direct from mouth, eyes or noses of people nearby (within 2m of each other or in enclosed spaces) or transmission can be caused by touching surfaces on which the droplets have landed.
To ensure safe working and avoid accidental transmission of the disease a number of new precautions have been put in place:
- The treatment space has been re-designed to remove non-essential items. It may not be as pretty, but it is safer. The carpet is not considered to be high risk because it won't be touched by hands.
- For every treatment, the client will be contacted and a covid check will be completed.
- Reflexology is the only clinic based treatment available at the moment. Zoom sessions can be arranged for the talking therapies: Emotional Freedom Technique; Neuro-Linguistic Programming; Stress Management.
- Masks should be worn by both client and practitioner. This can be paper or cloth masks (or even a scarf). It's not comfortable but it does seem to be up to 98.5% effective in reducing transmission if both people wear masks. Clients should therefore present for treatments with mask on. If you forget, a paper surgical mask can be provided (£1 extra). Given my requirement that clients wear masks, I will continue with the use of my La Fuma Reflexology chair rather than a massage table. The more upright seating position of the chair makes breathing with a mask easier and the chair is suitable for all clients and more "spine-friendly".
- Hand sanitising will be offered before and after treatments. I have toilet facilities available for handwashing, but would prefer to use sanitiser rather than handwashing to minimise surface contacts.
- Dedicated linen: each client will have a pre-wrapped dedicated linen pack to be used only for them and then washed. This will include: chair cover, socks to keep feet warm, pillow to cover the plastic wrapped foot cushion and throw. I have made the decision to wash rather than use paper or plastic disposable items because it's more ecologically sound and in my assessment, has no greater risk of accidental transmission.
- I will have dedicated treatment clothes.
- I plan to allow a maximum of 4 treatments per day, ideally spread out between morning, afternoon or evening. This would allow 1/2 or more hours between treatments, more than the recommended 15 minutes. During this time the room will be aired and cleaned.
- I offer normal treatments of 60 minutes and will now also offer 30 minute sessions. These are well within the maximim safe treatment time recommended by my professional association which is 90 minutes.
- There will be no waiting, so if you arrive early, please call to see if it's safe to arrive, or wait in your car for your appointment time.
- All surfaces will be cleaned between clients.
- Soft furnishings will be covered and the coverings regularly cleaned/disinfected.
- Waste will be disposed of in a lined pedal bin and laundry done in line with Government Guidelines.
- Paper and Pen: if you are asked to complete or sign anything, hand gel will be applied by both practitioner and client after use.
- Contactless payments are preferred.
As a client you will be required to:
- Complete a risk assessment at or before each treatment.
- On arrival declare if anything has changed with your health or within your family unit.
- Wash your hands (or use hand sanitiser provided by the therapist) on arrival.
- You will be asked to bring and wear your own face covering.
- Bring your own bottle of water.
- Inform your reflexologist if you develop symptoms of Covid-19.
- Arrange contactless payment if possible.
LINKS:
Association of Reflexologists Covid-19 Secure Workplace Policy. This policy stipulates the hygiene and other requirements to be met to minimise the risk of cross-infection: file:///C:/Users/Doris/Downloads/AoR-Covid-19-Policy-for-Therapists%20(3).pdf
Effectiveness of Using A Face Covering: file:///C:/Users/Doris/Downloads/AoR-Covid-19-Effectiveness-of-using-a-face-covering%20(1).pdf
Association of Reflexologists Covid-19 Secure Workplace Policy. This policy stipulates the hygiene and other requirements to be met to minimise the risk of cross-infection: file:///C:/Users/Doris/Downloads/AoR-Covid-19-Policy-for-Therapists%20(3).pdf
Effectiveness of Using A Face Covering: file:///C:/Users/Doris/Downloads/AoR-Covid-19-Effectiveness-of-using-a-face-covering%20(1).pdf
