Massage Therapists in Alberta Able to Resume Work Under Guidelines

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December 23, 2020

Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shando provides an update on massage therapists being permitted to resume work under certain guidelines in Alberta during the current Covid-19 lockdown.
Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro provides an update on massage therapists being permitted to resume work under certain guidelines in Alberta during the current Covid-19 lockdown.

This is a Joint Statement by the Canadian Massage and Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association (CMMOTA), the Certified Registered Massage Therapist Association (CRMTA), the Massage Therapist Association of Alberta (MTAA), and the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada Association (NHPC) and supported by the Transitional Council for the College of Massage Therapists of Alberta (TC-CMTA)

As per the update provided by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, massage therapists are able to resume immediately providing services under the following guidelines:

  1. All clients must have either a written prescription from a Medical Doctor, or a written referral from a regulated health professional (https://www.alberta.ca/regulated-health-professions.aspx)
    1. An existing written prescription is only valid if issued within the last 12 months.
    2. An existing written referral is only valid if issued within the last 12 months.
    3. A copy of the original written prescription or written referral is acceptable. 
    4. The written prescription or written referral must be provided prior to receiving treatment.
    5. A copy of the written prescription or written referral must be kept in the client’s file.
  2. All previous requirements for hygiene standards, PPE, masks, and other barriers issued by the individual associations will still apply until January 4, 2021. We will release the new “Infection Prevention Control Manual for Massage Therapists in Alberta” document before the end of 2020, which will come into effect January 4, 2021.  

This exemption, which has been provided by the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) may be terminated or modified by the CMOH in writing without notice and for any reason as determined by the CMOH.

One of the main requirements in the new “Infection Prevention Control Manual for Massage Therapists in Alberta” document will be the mandatory use of surgical/procedural masks (ASTM Level 1 or higher) by all massage therapists.  We recommend that you start sourcing these immediately in preparation for this change. Until the document comes into effect on January 4, 2021 you may continue to practice under the existing requirements for hygiene standards, PPE, masks, and other barriers issued by the individual associations and under the Guidance to Wellness Services document supplied by the Alberta Government (https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-wellness-services.pdf)

We remind all massage therapists that you have the option to return to work, and it remains the choice of the individual therapist on when they choose to return.

We wish you all a healthy Happy Holidays and a safe return to work.