An update to our Asheville community as we prepare to reopen and set new health, safety, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policies in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in order to protect our communities safety and health. It has been a challenging couple of months since the pandemic hit and were forced to close our doors. We have been working hard every day to adapt to the challenges and are making the changes necessary in order to provide our community with an outstanding service they can count on when the time is appropriate to reopen. We are thankful for all the support received from our clients and community who donated to our GoFund Me Relief Fund Campaign. We have been following the government and NC Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy guidance on reopening in phase 3 and recommended PPE standards. Phase 3 reopening will begin approximately 4-6 weeks after phase 1 reopening and will depend on how smoothly things go with reopening in phase 1 & 2. We will continue to provide updates as we receive guidance from the state government and get closer the the official phase 3 reopening expected mid June. Medical Massage Allowed Beginning May 8th We have received guidance from the most recent executive order 138 that we can now begin providing medical massage to clients beginning May 8th with the specific referral of a medical or naturopathic healthcare provider. Clients may schedule a medical massage by calling our office daily during regular business hours and must email their referral letter or prescription to info@massageonwheels.com. Online booking will remain closed until our official reopening expected mid June. See link to executive order 138: https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/EO138-Phase-1.pdf Our new PPE policies and protocol will be implemented beginning on May 8th as we begin seeing clients on a medical massage basis. These new policies have been created based off of guidance received from OSHA & the CDC. In addition, all clients will be required to complete our new liability waiver available on our website listed under services. Here is a quick link below for those who may be interested in scheduling a medical massage with required documentation: http://www.123formbuilder.com/form-5237672/liability-waiver General PPE Policies & Protocol Scheduling: - Appointments may be scheduled online or by phone, and must be paid by credit card upon booking. - For clients that wish to leave gratuity for their therapist, we recommended prepaying gratuity at the time of booking or by credit card after your session with your therapist. Our therapists will be prepared to manually enter credit card information into our square app so that no physical contact with credit cards are necessary. - All In-Office appointments will be scheduled with 1 hour spacing per treatment room in order to stagger appointments and allow therapists to properly clean and disinfect the treatment rooms and bathroom areas between appointments. - In addition, we will open all treatment room windows to allow for increased air circulation before and after every session. Accepted Methods of Payment: - All services must be paid via credit card (we accept all major credit cards) online or by phone in order to schedule and confirm an appointment. Recommended Methods of Leaving Gratuity for Your Therapist: - We do not recommend leaving gratuity via cash. Gratuity may be prepaid at the time of booking by phone or with your therapist after your session. Our therapists can accept gratuity by credit card using our square app with no physical contact necessary through manual entry. In-Office Massage Reception & Waiting Area: - Our receptionist will be in charge of cleaning and disinfecting the downstairs reception desk and waiting area before and after every client. - A sanitizer station will also be available for clients use in the waiting area. - Only two clients will be allowed in the waiting area at all times and face coverings are required. -All reception room chairs are spaced 6 feet apart to ensure social distancing with the exception of 2 chairs available side by side for couples waiting for a couples massage session. - There will be additional waiting areas outside and in front of the office building where clients may stand or be seated while waiting for their appointment. - A sign will be placed on the entrance door in order to notify clients to either enter or wait outside. We recommend clients stay inside their cars until approximately 5 minutes before their scheduled appointment and meet the therapist outside the front entrance of the building or in the waiting area. Complimentary Coffee, Tea, Water:
- Complimentary coffee, tea, and water will be available for clients but must be served by the receptionist only. Therapist Protocol : - Therapists are required to wash and sanitize their hands before and after every session. - Therapists are required to use personal protection equipment (PPE) for every session. - Common areas, bathroom, and treatment rooms will be sanitized between before and after every client. - Linens will be washed & sanitized with disinfectant detergent. Client Protocol: - If you feel you have symptoms or have knowingly been exposed to the virus that causes COVID 19 please let us know before your appointment. We will cancel your massage with no fees even if it is same day or last minute. - Clients must enter using the office using the front door. Please refer to the waiting area policies above for additional information on social distancing.
- Client must provide their own PPE and must be wearing a face covering upon arrival. If a client does not have a face covering, they may purchase one at our office for $5. (Please note: All face coverings will be individually packaged to protect our clients safety & health) --Clients must wear a face covering at all times while inside the office building with the exception of being face down during a massage session. - Clients must exit the office using the back door after their appointment and may not re-enter the waiting room area. Out-Call Massage Therapist Protocol: - Therapists will arrive to onsite locations wearing PPE equipment. - Equipment will be sanitized onsite before and after every session. Client Protocol: - If you feel you have symptoms or have knowingly been exposed to the virus that causes COVID 19 please let us know before we get to your home. We will cancel your massage with no fees even if it is same day or last minute. - Clients must sanitize all surfaces onsite before their therapist arrives and should sanitize again after they leave. - Clients must wear a mask at all times once the therapist arrives onsite, with the exception of being face down during a massage session. If clients do not have a face covering and wish to purchase one, our therapists will have face coverings available for $5. (Please note: All face coverings are all individually packaged to protect our clients safety & health) - Refrain from touching any equipment carried inside your home by your therapist. Other PPE Procedures & Recommendations for Out-Call Massage (For Clients): - Open windows before your therapists arrives and during your session to increase air flow. - Open the door when your therapist enters & exits your home to avoid unnecessary physical contact of surfaces by the therapist. - Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize. We will continue to provide updates as we receive additional guidance on reopening in phase 3 and look forward to seeing clients this month on a medical massage basis. Wishing everyone continue to stay safe & well,
Alyssa Enriquez, founder/owner