Lockdown rules confuse some businesses
Massage, physio clinics allowed to remain open, Ministry of Health says
The list of businesses impacted by a lockdown beginning Monday in Toronto and Peel Region wwere not clearly communicat- ed, the owner of a Toronto massage spa says.
While the Ontario government offered a partial list of wwhat would remain open after the COVID-19 shutdown beggins at 12:01 a.m., Kate Arm- strong, owner and director of Bahn Thai Spa, told the Star she wwas unsure whether her busi- ness would be impacted.
The Ontario government’s late-afternoon announcement on Friday stated that personal services, such as nail and hair salons, would now be closed. Missing, however, were details of all services included in the shutdown.
However, on Sunday, the Ministry of Health confirmed to the Star that “regulated health professionals including dentists, optometrists, chiropractic services, ophthalmologists, physi- vv cal and occupational therapists and podiatrists will be able to operate.”
A spokesperson said that “under lockdown, regulated health professionals, including massage therapists, will be able to operate. Regulated health professionals such as registered massage therapists were not impacted and therefore not referenced.”
Working “in partnership with the chief medical officer of health and our local medical officers of health, we continue to closely monitor the evolving situation to advise if and when public health measures need to be adjusted,” the spokesperson also said.
In Ontario’s first lockdown last spring, physiotherapy, chiropractic services and massage therapists were among those to close their doors, which left some confused about what is happening this time around.
“We have to continue to communicate with clients that are mm calling and saying, ‘Are we seeing you on Monday or not?’ We’re having to say we’ll call WW you as soon as we know some- yy thing more,” Armstrong said. t To Armstrong, massage has been as important as mental health care for Ontarians during the months-long pandemic.
“I see the fatigue setting in on everyone’s faces … The stress is ee so high … right now, (with) people not being able to be with their families. It’s so important tt to have human touch.”
The Ontario Physiotherapy Association shared the news that physiotherapy services would be able to continue oper- ww ations, said Shafiq Bhanji, presi- a dent of Athlete’s Care Sports Medicine Centres.
“We received direction from our respective colleges and professional associations on Friday and over the weekend via email aa indicating that our services would not be impacted the up- ww coming lockdown,” Bhanji said in an email to the Star.