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COVID-19 Policy

COVID-19 OPERATING POLICY

My standard hygiene protocols prior to COVID-19:

  • Sheets, pillowcases, cloths and towels are all fresh and clean for each client. 
  • If working on the futon: there is a waterproof sheet between the (cotton) sheet and futon to prevent oil, sweat and any body fluids from coming into contact with the fabric of the futon. 
  • The waterproof sheet is wiped down with an antibacterial agent between every session.
  • If working on the massage table: the table is ‘wipe clean’ and is wiped down with an antibacterial agent between every session.
  • My oil is freshly poured, from a ‘master container’, into a clean jug for each session so there is no risk of cross-contamination between clients.
  • The room is well ventilated between sessions by opening windows and doors and creating a ‘through flow’ of air.
  • The bathroom and toilet area are cleaned daily with antibacterial agent. 
  • I also have my own practices for energetically clearing and cleaning myself and the space between each client.

Additional hygiene protocols adopted to mitigate the spread of COVID-19:

– Daily clean with antibacterial agent of…

  • front doorbell
  • door handles, handrails and bannister
  • light switches
  • A u-shaped head cushion is provided, this is covered in disposable tissue (new for each client).
  • The head cushion material is ‘wipe-clean’ and is cleaned with antibacterial agent between every session. This replaces a soft fabric cushion used previously.
  • I will only be seeing one client per day, allowing plenty of time for the session space to be cleaned and aired.

Client responsibilities:

  • Please bring your own bottle of water, I will no longer provide a drinking glass or refreshments.
  • Please wash your hands or use hand sanitiser as soon as you arrive for your session. Hand sanitiser will be provided.
  • You’re welcome to take a shower at the start of the session, as always, but please note that this is included in the overall time of your session.
  • If you or anyone you are in close contact with has symptoms of the virus, please defer your session for a minimum of 14 days.
  • If you want to, you can check your temperature on the morning of your session, and if it is higher than usual, I ask that you defer your session for a minimum of 14 days.
  • If you know that you have underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart and lung problems, diabetes, or cancer, it is your individual responsibility to assess the risk presented by coming for a session and being in close contact with another person.
  • If you know that you are a link in a chain to an elderly relative or friend who has a compromised immune system through illness, it is your responsibility to assess the risk presented by coming for a session and being in close contact with another person.
  • Essentially, these criteria are the same from before coronavirus – I would always encourage people NOT to book sessions if they feel ill and if they cannot happily integrate the experience into their lives.
  • If you develop symptoms or receive a diagnosis within 10 days after your session, you should notify me immediately, so that I in turn can inform anyone else who has been for sessions in that period.

Face coverings:

It is my personal preference that people entering my home for sessions do not do so with their faces covered for the entirety of their visit. If you want to wear a face mask during the time that you’re actually receiving bodywork and touch that is OK, but I kindly ask that you do not show up wearing one and that our initial chat and ‘check in’ is done without a mask. During this time we can maintain a distance of 1.5m. I will not be wearing a face covering during the session.

Pre-session checks:

  • I will contact you 24 hours prior to your session to confirm whether you have been in self-isolation or in close contact with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19. If the answer is yes to either of these questions, I will ask you to defer your by a minimum of 14 days.
  • I will also ask you to confirm if, in the past 14 days, you personally have had any of the most common symptoms of COVID-19:

fever

dry cough

tiredness

Or any of the less common symptoms:

aches and pains nasal congestion

headache conjunctivitis

sore throat diarrhoea

loss of taste/smell a rash on skin

discolouration of fingers/toes

(list of symptoms taken from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses)

  • I will ask you to complete and return my ‘COVID-19 Health Information & Informed Consent’ form on the morning of your session. If this form is not completed, signed and returned I will not be able to proceed with your session. This is the case both from a personal and professional health perspective, but also for the purposes of my insurance.

Cancellations:

  • My standard cancellation policy:

If a booking is cancelled by the client less than 24 hours in advance the full balance of the session will be due. If this cancellation fee is not paid then the client will not be re-booked, no future appointments will be accepted.

If a booking is cancelled less than 48 hours, but more than 24 hours, in advance then 50%  of the full session fee will be due. If this cancellation fee is not paid then the client will not be re-booked, no future appointments will be accepted.

If a booking is cancelled more than 48 hours in advance then no cancellation fee will be due.

Adjustments for COVID-19 situation:

  • If you need to cancel your session at any point up until 9am on the morning of your session because…
    • You personally have suspected coronavirus symptoms
    • You have been in close contact with someone who has told you they have suspected coronavirus symptoms

…there will be no cancellation fee.

  • If you cancel your session after 9am on the day of your booking the full balance of the session will still be due, as per the standard cancellation policy, regardless of whether the reason is COVID-19 related.
  • If I need to cancel your session because of suspected coronavirus symptoms at my end I will do so with no less than 24 hours notice.

COVID-19 Health Information & Informed Consent

Client Name:

Date: 

This document contains important information about your decision to receive bodywork sessions in light of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Please read and fill out this form carefully and let me know if you have any questions.

COVID-19 Information

Please complete these COVID-19 health questions below by placing an X next to the relevant answer:

  1. Have you had a fever in the last 24 hours of 38°C or above? 

Yes No

2. Do you now, or have you recently had, any respiratory or flu symptoms (including fever, chills, sore throat, cough, muscle aches, or shortness of breath)? 

Yes No

3. Have you been in contact with anyone in the last 14 days who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has coronavirus-type symptoms? 

Yes No

4. Have you traveled anywhere outside of the UK in the last two weeks? 

Yes No

Location:

5. Have you had a new loss of sense of taste or smell? 

Yes No

The following questions are specific to a new aspect of COVID-19 involving blood coagulation.

6. Can you exercise to get your heart rate and respiratory rate up without any problem? 

Yes No

7. Have you had a new onset of muscle aches and pain since the emergence of the virus?

Yes No

8. Have you seen any new marks, rashes, spots, bumps, or other lesions on your skin? 

Yes No

9. I agree to notify you if I develop symptoms or am given a diagnosis of COVID-19 within 10 days after my session

Yes No

Consent for Treatment

To proceed with receiving this touch and bodywork session, I confirm and understand the following (place your initials in all underlined areas):

  • I understand that the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). I further understand that COVID-19 is extremely contagious and may be contracted from various sources. I understand COVID-19 has a long incubation period during which carriers of the virus may not show symptoms and still be contagious.____________
  • I understand that I am the decision maker with regards to my health. To the best of their ability, my practitioner will provide me with information to assist me in making informed choices. This process is often referred to as “informed consent” and involves my understanding and agreement regarding recommended interactions, and the benefits and risks associated with the provision of massage and bodywork during a pandemic. Given the current limitations of COVID-19 virus testing, I understand determining who is infected with COVID-19 is exceptionally difficult.____________
  • I understand that preventative measures and intensified sanitation protocols intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have been implemented. However, because this work involves close physical proximity over an extended period of time in a closed space, there may be an elevated risk of disease transmission, including COVID-19. I hereby acknowledge and assume the risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 through this treatment and give my express permission to my practitioner (Elizabeth Sheppard – Training Happy) to proceed with providing this bodywork session.____________

I have been offered a copy of this consent form._____________

I KNOWINGLY AND WILLINGLY CONSENT TO THE TREATMENT WITH THE FULL UNDERSTANDING AND DISCLOSURE OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RECEIVING MASSAGE AND BODYWORK DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. I CONFIRM ALL OF MY QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED TO MY SATISFACTION.

I HAVE READ, OR HAVE HAD READ TO ME, THE ABOVE COVID-19 RISK INFORMED CONSENT TO TREATMENT. I APPRECIATE THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO CONSIDER EVERY POSSIBLE COMPLICATION TO CARE. I HAVE ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT ITS CONTENT, AND BY SIGNING BELOW, I AGREE WITH THE CURRENT OR FUTURE RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE CARE AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE FOR MY CIRCUMSTANCE. I INTEND THIS CONSENT TO COVER THIS SESSION FROM ELIZABETH SHEPPARD – TRAINING HAPPY (INSERT SESSION DATE: ) AND FOR ANY FUTURE SESSIONS. 

Client Signature: _________________________________________________ 

Date: ____________

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