07/09/2020
RE: New guidance strongly encourages biweekly COVID-19 testing in Phase 3 regions.
An updated Interim Guidance for Personal Care Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency document released July 1, 2020, includes a requirement that employees be tested for COVID-19 every two weeks for regions in Phase 3. This includes sole practitioners.
This requirement applies to non-hair-related personal care businesses and services, including massage therapy, spa, cosmetology, nail, or waxing services. This guidance does not apply to any hair-related service, such as haircutting, coloring, or styling. Per page 11 of the guidance document:
“Responsible Parties are strongly encouraged to ensure that employees performing services directly on or to customers have been tested for COVID-19 through a diagnostic test, prior to the employee performing such services. Employees shall be tested every 14 days, so long as the region in which the personal care workplace is located remains in Phase 3 of the State’s reopening. Customers are strongly encouraged to inquire with the employee providing services directly on or to them about whether the employee has received testing.”
NOTE: The updated guidance document continues to prohibit personal care services that require a client to remove their mask.
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.
- Massage practitioners: ABMP Back-to-Practice Guidelines
- Estheticians: ASCP Back-to-Practice Guidelines
- Cosmetologists: AHP Back-to-Practice Guidelines
- Nail professionals: ANP Back-to-Practice Guidelines
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.