Mobile massage therapy services

In light of Dr. Bonnie Henry’s order limiting social interactions, in effect November 7, 2020 to November 23, 2020, RMTs in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions who provide mobile services that involve entering peoples’ homes should consider whether these services are medically required at this time.

If they elect to proceed, RMTs should determine that providing massage therapy at this time is medically indicated, and must take extreme cautions with pre-screening and day-of-appointment screening to ensure they are minimizing risk of COVID-19 transmission.  

While the College recognizes that providing massage therapy is not social interaction, the order from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) is designed to limit contact within households in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions.

RMTs’ home-based clinics

CMTBC advises that it does not consider the PHO’s November 7, 2020 order to apply to RMTs conducting home-based practices. While this could change at any time, RMTs treating patients in a home-based clinic are not conducting “social interactions” within the meaning of the order. However, RMTs must separate their home from their clinic, and RMTs’ family members must have no contact with patients. It is also critically important that RMTs continue to practice in accordance with guidance provided in the Interim Guidelines for Return to Practice and apply the additional guidance provided in the FAQs.

CMTBC will continue to monitor public health guidance and orders and will advise RMTs of any new requirements.