California COVID-19 State Update for Massage Therapists

06/01/2020

RE: Information regarding your state's back-to-practice permission date and safety guidelines to minimize risk of exposure to, and spread of, COVID-19 in the workplace.

There has been confusion and conjecture about when massage therapists and licensed beauty professionals (including estheticians, cosmetologists, barbers, nail professionals, and electrologists) may resume business operations in California. Following is the latest information.

What You Need to Know:

California is in Stage 2 of the Resilience Roadmap. Stage 2 permits "lower-risk workplaces" to gradually reopen, including limited personal services. 

Per the state's COVID-19 industry guidance:

  • Massage: Massage therapy may be permitted, depending on your county or city (per a May 28 CAMTC email) 
  • Nails and esthetics: Manicures and some esthetics (facials, lash, or brow work—anything to do with the face) are not permitted. Waxing and sugaring hair-removal services below the neck can be performed.
  • Cosmetology: Any hair or wig dressing, haircutting, relaxing, or coloring can be performed. Everyone, including stylists and clients, must wear a mask. No beard trims or shaves are permitted. 

Counties are in Control:

California counties, and sometimes cities within the county, have the authority to issue orders that are stricter than statewide orders. Every county can apply for a variance to accelerate the reopening process by agreeing to meet certain criteria. These variances include the county's plans for regulating who can open and when. All 58 counties must apply individually for variances from the state for each phase of the reopening. This map illustrates which counties have obtained variances for Phases 2 and 2.5. NOTE: Pasadena, Long Beach, and Berkeley all have their own health departments and need to obtain a variance from their county.

There is no uniformity—all county variances and guidelines are different. We encourage you to check with your county to stay on top of the guidelines. Sign up to learn about your county's plans and receive updates.

Hair Salons and Barbershops:

On May 26, 2020, the state released a "COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Hair Salons and Barbershops" document that clarifies in the "Purpose" section who is allowed to be open, if the county allows it:

"For example, haircuts, weaves and extensions, braiding, lock maintenance, wig maintenance, hair relaxing treatments, and color services can be provided. Services that cannot be performed with face coverings on both the worker and customer or that require touching the customer's face, e.g., eyelash services, eyebrow waxing and threading, facials, etc., should be suspended until those types of services are allowed to resume. Hair salon or barbershop owners or operators must acknowledge that lessees should only resume operations when they are ready and able to implement the necessary safety measures to provide for their safety and that of their customers."

Further clarification regarding estheticians was provided by the executive director of the BBC in an email exchange with California Aesthetic Alliance on May 27, 2020:


"Per the BBC and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), LIMITED hair removal services are allowed. 

  • Both licensee and client must be wearing a mask at all times during the service.

  • Hair removal is not allowed on the face.

  • Hair removal from the neck down to the toes is allowed.

  • Hair removal services considered are waxing and sugaring. 

  • This does not mean that estheticians are allowed to perform skin care, lash, brow, or other beautification services.

  • All county variances and requirements must be observed by the licensee and client receiving the service.

  • The county must have approval from the state to proceed.

  • The county must revise its standing order prior to the establishment reopening and the licensee resuming services."

Massage Therapy Update:

On May 28, 2020, the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) quoted the director of the California Department of Health Care Services in stating the following: 

"Although massage therapy has not been addressed specifically in state-level announcements, the parallel with hair salons and barbershops that are providing one-on-one care for individuals seems appropriate. The precautions that were outlined regarding screening clients for illness, use of masks/face coverings by the massage therapist and client, staggering appointments so there is not contact between clients, etc. should be followed. Exceptions may be made by local health departments."

As stated above, the counties and cities are in control. Do not open unless your county obtains a variance from the state allowing you to do so, and you have confirmed that the county and city allow you to practice. Based on the CAMTC communication above, if your county or city do allow for you to open in Stage 2 (massage therapy still appears to fall under Stage 3 of the Resilience Roadmap), you should follow the guidance for hair salons and barbershops. See below for ABMP's extensive back-to-practice guidelines to help you reopen safely.

What is happening in California has been very confusing and ABMP is working to clarify the status of practice for our members. We will update our COVID-19 page and send email updates to members as we learn of clarifications.

Additional Safety Resources

ABMP, ASCP, AHP, and ANP understand there is a fine line between getting back to work and earning an income and protecting the safety of you and your clients. As you consider returning to work, we urge you to make government permission to work only one element of your decision about whether and when to reopen. Please review our comprehensive series of back-to-practice guidelines to help reduce risk and keep you and your clients safe.

We also have helpful forms and printouts available on our website, including office policies, screening questionnaires, and posters to remind clients about social distancing and handwashing.

We appreciate your membership and will continue working on your behalf to update you as we learn more. Please check our COVID-19 page for updates. Be safe and be well.

If you have questions or concerns, email us at gr@abmp.com.

State: 
California