Phase 4 - What Covid-19 Measures have Changed? What Is Still in Place?

England moved into Phase 4 on 19th July. 

Thank you to all my clients over the last few weeks who I have consulted on possible changes. 😀

I am aware that the vaccination programme has greatly weakened the link between infection and hospitalisation and death and that the government has reduced requirements on that basis. However I am also aware that:
- only 52% of the population is vaccinated
- we have the highest rate of infection in the world
- I have Clinically Vulnerable and Extremely Clinically Vulnerable clients that are very concerned for their risk
- there is no evidence that vaccination reduces the risk of disability from Long Covid

Guidance from the government is here. Further guidance support from my Professional Association, the APNT is on Facebook here and on their website here. 

"While England moves to step 4 of Covid-19 restrictions from 19 July that removes the mandatory wearing of face-coverings and social distancing, therapists are reminded that, as they work in a close contact setting, there is a higher risk of viral transmission. Therefore, the APNT does recommend the continued wearing of face-coverings for all clients and therapists and asks that you seriously consider the continued use of type II masks and eye protection as the alternative to a face-covering, particularly when treating the high-risk zone." - APNT. 

Read on for details of what has changed and what has remained unchanged in my infection control measures. 

Re-Opening

I am now available for appointments from Monday the 12th of April. 

Those on my mailing list have received information on how to book and a link to my online booking service. If you are not on my mailing list, please contact me for booking information.

Here's some links which go through the changes that are in place to keep you and I safe:

Summary of Holistyx Covid-19 Infection Control Measures

Summary of Holistyx Safety Procedures for Clients

Changing Professional Association from FHT to APNT

I will be able to re-open when England goes into Phase 2 of the 'roadmap' out of lockdown. The government has told us that will be at the earliest, from the 12th April. We will hear on Monday 5th whether that has the go ahead, or if it has to be put back. So, watch this space!

 
Meanwhile, as part of preparing to re-open Holistyx... I have changed my Professional Association.

 

Tier 5 / National Lockdown

Holistyx is currently closed. 

Re-Opening after Lockdown 2.0 and Availability, Including Christmas and New Year

I am available for appointments from Wednesday the 2nd of December. Those on my mailing list have received information on how to book and a link to my online booking service. If you are not on my mailing list, contact me and I will email this to you.

Despite having reduced our infection levels to half the National average, Lancaster District will be, with the rest of Lancashire, going back into Tier 3 - the highest Tier of restrictions. However Close Contact Services / Personal Care - which Holistic Therapies are classed as - will be permitted in all Tiers in all areas of the UK, so I will be able to open for all treatments, as previously adapted to be compliant with Government and Industry Covid-19 Guidance and my Risk Assessment.

I hope you will feel confident to come for a treatment if you need one in December, and that it will still be a relaxed and enjoyable experience. Here's some links which go through the changes that are in place to keep you and I safe:

Summary of Holistyx Covid-19 Infection Control Measures
Summary of Holistyx Safety Procedures for Clients

If you are thinking of buying a gift voucher, please see Holistyx Gift Vouchers 

Lockdown 2.0 - Is it Possible to Provide Treatments During Lockdown?

Holistyx closed on Thursday 5th November 2020 under advice from Federation of Holistic Therapists that all Massage Therapists and Holistic Centres were required to do so. 

However, it then came to my attention that in 

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 
p32, Part 3, Businesses permitted to stay open are listed as: 
47. Dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services, including services relating to mental health.

I am listed for all therapies I practice on the FHT Complementary Healthcare Therapist Register, which has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, a body accountable to Parliament. 

So I should be allowed to open, and various Professional Associations have discussed this clause with BEIS (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) and received conformation that under certain circumstances, Massage and other Therapeutic Services will be recognised as permitted. However, there is some disagreement within the Complementary Healthcare sector (eg between different Professional Associations) about how to interpret this legislation, and what the criteria are. 

Stone Therapy: Hot Stone Massage Testimonials

Stone Therapy is something I had only introduced shortly before the first lockdown this year, and didn't yet at that time have a full page of information about on my website.

I have since created a page explaining what it is, and the benefits of working with hot - and also cold - stones. If interested, you can check that out here - Stone Therapy: Hot and Cold Stone Massage.

Its been really great to introduce this treatment to some of my regular clients and see how much they have enjoyed it.

Covid-19 Measures Reassuring, Aromatherapy Massage Relaxing

Appointments now available.

Holistyx is open again, and bookings are now available for Swedish / Holistic Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Indian Head Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Pregnancy and Post-Natal Massage and Aromatherapy, and Reflexology. Would you like to book in for some time out to relieve tension, balance and restore your energies and gain a real sense of relaxation and wellbeing?

I initially contacted those whose appointments were cancelled at lockdown, to give them priority to re-book, and then I contacted those who had told me they were wanting to have an appointment when I reopened. I have now contacted everyone who has been to me previously who is on my emailing list. 

In order to re-open while Covid-19 is still with us, it has been necessary to put in place a lot of changes in order for Holistyx to be compliant with Government and Professional Association guidance, and to make things as safe as possible for myself and my clients.

Please read Covid-19 Infection Control Measures carefully before contacting me about booking. 

Re-opening

Holistyx will shortly be contacting *only* those clients whose appointments were cancelled in March, April, and May due to the Pandemic, offering them appointments through a new online booking system, and slowly starting to work again with many new safety measures and procedures in place.

When those clients have had some time to get first priority for appointments, booking will then become available for all former clients who had requested appointments during closure, then all that have been previously to Holistyx.

There is no estimate at present of when appointments will be available to new clients.