Blocking restrictions in Toronto, Peel not clear enough for some companies, owners say

The list of activities affected by a lockdown starting Monday in Toronto and the Peel region was not clearly disclosed, says the owner of a Toronto massage spa.

While the Ontario government offered a partial list of what would remain open after the COVID-19 closure begins at 12:01, Kate Armstrong, owner and director of Bahn Thai Spa, told the Star she wasn’t sure. whether his business would be affected.

The Ontario government announcement late Friday afternoon said personal services, such as nail and hair salons, would be closed. However, details of all the services included in the closure were missing.

However, on Sunday, the Ministry of Health confirmed to the Star that “regulated health professionals including dentists, optometrists, chiropractic services, ophthalmologists, physical and occupational therapists and podiatrists will be able to operate.”

A spokesman said that “under lockdown conditions, regulated health professionals, including massage therapists, will be able to operate. Regulated health professionals such as registered massage therapists were not affected and therefore were not referenced. ”

Working “in partnership with the Chief Health Medical Officer and our local health officers, we continue to closely monitor the evolving situation to advise if and when public health measures need to be adapted,” the spokesperson said.

In Ontario’s first block last spring, physiotherapy, chiropractic services, and massage therapists were among those closing their doors, which has left some confused as to what is happening this time around.

“We have to keep communicating with customers who call and say,” See you Monday or not? “We have to say we’ll call you as soon as we know more,” Armstrong said.

“It’s not like a haircut,” he said, adding that people often seek massages to treat physical pain or for mental health care.

For Armstrong, the massage was as important as mental health care for Ontarians during the months-long pandemic. “I see fatigue on everyone’s faces… The stress is so high… right now, (with) people who are unable to be with their families. It is so important to have a human touch. “

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association shared the news that physiotherapy services would be able to continue operations, said Shafiq Bhanji, president of the Sports Medicine Centers for Athlete Care.

“We received guidance from our respective colleges and professional associations on Friday and over the weekend by email, indicating that our services would not be affected by the impending lockdown,” Bhanji said in an email to the Star.

While Bhanji was able to confirm that Athlete’s Care may continue to offer services and communicate this to customers via email, patients are still contacting to see if they can keep their appointments.

“There seems to be a lot of confusion in the general public as to whether or not these services would be affected,” Bhanji said. “… We are fortunate that our colleges and professional associations have acted swiftly to inform their members.”