Live to Thrive Wellness Updates

Yoga & Pilates Classes: Proof of Vaccination

Live to Thrive Wellness - September 22, 2021

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Our new yoga and pilates studio is following the health and safety guidelines outlined by the government which will require all yoga and pilates students to provide proof of vaccination before they can attend in-studio yoga or pilates classes (as of September 22, 2021).

 

Please note that these requirements were not created by Live to Thrive Wellness.

 

As of today's date, we will continue to comply with all provincial laws. We appreciate the help and support of our local community as we continue to navigate these uncertain times.

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Ministry of Health & CMTO: Infection Control Measures

Live to Thrive Wellness - June 10, 2020

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Below are the new practice guidelines Live to Thrive Wellness will be adhering to, as recommended by the Ministry of Health and the CMTO. These guidelines are meant to minimize the risk of COVID-19 from spreading but does not eliminate the risk completely. The nature of Massage Therapy makes physical distancing impossible, so following the new protocols is essential.

 

The following protocols my staff, myself and all patients must commit to, so that we can resume treatments. Failure to comply will result in the cancellation of your appointment, as well as possible future appointments.

 

Pre-Screening / Prior to Arrival 

• Patients will be informed about their responsibilities at the time of booking and must agree to the new safety measures, which are also outlined below.

• One day prior to their booked appointment, patients will be sent a link to complete the online COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment tool (it takes less than 1 minute to do). They must respond to my text or email to inform me they completed it and what their results are. Ashley, the owner of Live to Thrive Wellness, will use the COVID-19 Self-Assessment tool daily.

• The virus of COVID-19 shares similar symptoms to other respiratory illnesses and seasonal allergies. An appointment must be cancelled immediately if either the patient or the therapist presents with even mild symptoms that may be signs of COVID-19 including:

  • Fever

  • Cough

  • Chills

  • Shortness of breath

  • Sore throat or pain with swallowing

  • Stuffy or runny nose

  • Loss of sense of smell

  • Headache

  • Muscle aches

  • Fatigue

  • Loss of appetite

 

• As a part of this consent form, patients must commit to understanding that while I’ve taken all possible measures to minimize risk of viral transmission, the nature of massage therapy and other treatments means that physical distancing is not possible in the treatment room.

• Patients must confirm that they have not been in contact with anyone displaying illness, or signs and symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days prior to their treatment.

• Patients with higher risk profiles and/or weakened immune systems should consider alternatives for care and postpone treatment.

• If a patient is feeling unwell and must cancel their appointment, they will NOT be charged, however with my limited availability and a waiting list of clients in discomfort wanting in, PLEASE provide as much notice as possible so I can fill your appointment.

 

Upon Arrival

• You must have completed your Self-Assessment and confirm your results 24 hours prior to your appointment.  

• Upon arrival, each patient will be screened using a contact-free thermometer to check their temperature. Any patients that have a temperature above 37.6 degrees Celsius will be denied treatment for their scheduled appointment.

• If the patient has a mask, they are asked to bring it with them and wear it when they arrive. 

• Patients must confirm that they have not traveled outside Ontario within 14 days prior to their appointment.

• The treatment will be cancelled immediately if the patient does not meet the pre-screening criteria.

• A log will be kept of all people entering the office/treatment space; including couriers, guardians, clients, etc  to assist with contact tracing if ever required. This will be explained to clients upon entrance to the clinic. 

 

Physical Distancing

• Patients must arrive unaccompanied, unless a patient is a minor or accompanying an essential patient that requires physical assistance.

• Since our clinic is part of a shared unit, you will still need to enter through the front door at Hair Mechanics. However, we have completed renovations that includes a wall that separates the clinic from the salon. There is a shared washroom on site, but we encourage customers to use their own facilities prior to their appointment for the time being.

• Appointments will be spaced apart to ensure there is adequate time for cleaning to reduce the concern for more than one patient being onsite at the same time. However, should you see another person other than myself, please remain outside of the clinic and I will wave you in when you can safely enter.

• Therapist and the patient will both maintain a space of 2 meters (6 feet) distance between each other in all areas outside the treatment room.

• All unnecessary items that cannot be disinfected after each client will be removed from the office/treatment.  

• Patients are asked to arrive no more than 10 minutes early for their appointment, as I may still be disinfecting and airing out the treatment room from the previous appointment.

• Again, it is not possible to maintain physical distancing while in the treatment room.

 

Hand Hygiene

Immediately upon entering the patient must EITHER:

• Use the hand-sanitizer provided OR Go directly to the hand washing sink without touching anything and wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and then dry thoroughly with a paper towel.

• Each therapist will follow proper hand washing techniques for at least 20 seconds before and after every appointment and after disinfecting.

• E-transfer is a contactless method of payment clients can use, however I will still accept credit cards, and cash, but I will sanitize my hands before and after handling cards/money, and paper receipts. 

 

Avoid Face Touching

• The therapist will wear a mask at all times.

• Patients are also required to wear face masks that cover both the nose and mouth.

• Muscles of the face will not be treated at this time, until further notice.  

 

Enhanced Cleaning

• Additional time has been scheduled between patients to allow for thorough cleaning of the treatment room in accordance with infection control protocols outlined by the Ministry of Health and CMTO.

• The treatment table, table levers, face cradle, pillows, stool and lotion bottles will be immediately after each treatment.

• All linens, including blankets are single use only and will be laundered using high heat, detergent and between each use.

• Everything else including chairs, stool, door knobs, light switches, and floor will be cleaned/disinfected after every appointment.

• The bathroom will be disinfected after any patient uses it and before new patients arrive, but it is recommended that clients use their own bathrooms before arriving at their appointment to limit the number of areas they come in contact with.

 

Personal Protective Equipment

• Each therapist will wear a face mask at all times as required by the CMTO and Ministry of Health.

• Safety Glasses or face shield may be used, but are not required by the CMTO/MOH.

• Patients are required to wear a face mask.  They can be fabric or disposable. 

• If patients have their own fabric face mask, they are requested to bring it, otherwise there will be some available.

 

In the Event That a Patient is diagnosed with COVID-19 after they've come in contact with the clinic

• We will immediately call public health to report the alleged transmission, providing the contact details of my client and myself.

• A log will be kept of all people entering the office/treatment space; including couriers, guardians, clients, etc. to assist with contact tracing if ever required. This log will be kept confidential for privacy reasons.

• All massage therapy appointments will be cancelled, and we will cease to provide services until Public Health has investigated and provided direction.

• Therapists will immediately self-isolate until Public Health has investigated and provided direction.

 

Asymptomatic Spreaders

• Asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 is an unavoidable risk of practice until we’ve acquired herd immunity, there is an effective treatment or vaccine against the virus.

 

Informed Consent

In the current environment of COVID-19 risk, informed consent requires that the patient be informed and understands that:

• Any massage therapy treatment involves some risk of COVID-19 transmission;

• All therapists are following protocol to help reduce or mitigate risk where possible, but that risk cannot be reduced to zero.

• The patient believes the risks outweigh the benefits of the treatment, and consents to treatment despite of the risks.

• Therapists will document the patient’s consent in advance and at every treatment.