Massage Therapists of Arkansas are being grouped together with Cosmetologists, Barbers, and Med Spas during this Covid-19 pandemic. Because of this, massage therapists are currently included in Phase 1 of reopening of the state. This will contradict White House guidelines and will also contradict the consensus of national experts advocating for massage therapists and their clients.  

We request that the state consider massage therapy separately from these other professions and allow massage therapists to resume their practices in Phase 3 but no sooner than Phase 2.   If massage therapists are to resume in phase 2, we urge that the following PPE be required: N95 respirators, face shields or goggles, gloves, and enhanced sanitation procedures.

Here are some of the facts that make opening massage therapy in Phase 1 problematic:

• MASSAGE THERAPIST WORK IN SMALL SPACES FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME.Unlike hair salons, where services occur in a large well-ventilated common areas, massage therapy typically occurs in a poorly-ventilated small space. Often, therapists are unable to open windows. Massage therapists spend an hour or more with our clients in close quarters. According to CDC guidelines, prolonged close contact in a poorly-ventilated area requires N95 respirators and other protective gear because of the increased possibility of contracting the virus.

• BECAUSE CARRIERS CAN BE ASYMPTOMATIC, temperature checks may not be enough. Massage therapists or their clients could unknowingly be spreading infection long before symptoms appear.

• MASSAGE THERAPIST FALL UNDER OSHAs DEFINITION OF MEDIUM EXPOSURE RISK. Following OSHA guidelines would require massage therapists to have access to the proper PPE in order to operate safely.  Not only is PPE in short supply at this time, our national experts assert that massage therapy is not essential and should not be using the gear that is desperately needed by front line healthcare workers.

• Massage therapists' insurance does not cover communicable diseases.

• LACK OF PROPER EQUIPMENT CLEANING SUPPLIES. Most massage tables are covered in vinyl and require a cleaner that not only effectively disinfects but does not break down this material which would ruin expensive equipment that is usually the therapists' responsibility to provide. This type of cleaner is usually needed for other tools as well, and is difficult to get at this time.

• SELF-EMPLOYED WORKERS WHO HAVE HIGH RISK HEALTH CONDITIONS.  These workers should be able to continue to receive unemployment benefits until Phase 3. These workers should be able to stay home in accordance with the guidance of both the State and National governments and OSHA regulations. 

  We understand that you have done your best to determine when to re-open the economy and get people back to work. For all the reasons detailed above, Phase 1 guidelines do not align with best practices of the massage therapy industry. We urge you to consider delaying massage therapists' returning to work until Phase 3, or during Phase 2 if proper PPE and disinfecting agents are readily available.