College of Massage Therapists

As per the public announcement at 2:00 pm today, the whole province is moving into Alert Level 4 at 12:00 am January 4th, 2022, effective for the next 2 weeks.  This means that you will now return to Phase 1 guidelines for the next two weeks.  All updated guidelines may also be accessed on our website (http://www.cmtnl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CMTNL-Back-to-Work-Phase-1-^0-2-Updated-March-10-2021.pdf).

As well, here is the NL government’s document that defines close contact, particularly on page 11: https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/files/Public-Health-Management-of-Cases-and-Contacts-of-COVID-19-in-NL-Mar-2021.pdf. 

We will continue to update you as information becomes available to us.  Please follow the guidelines and do your best to minimize the risk to yourselves and your clients.  

Based on the update from The Department of Health and Community Services on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador is moving to Alert Level 3 as of Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 at 12:01 am. 

The CMTNL is requiring that all RMT’s in Newfoundland and Labrador follow Phase 2 Guidelines for PPE.  Please see below for updated guidelines.  If you wish, you can still follow Phase 1 guidelines as well.  This will be reassessed as changes are made by the Department of Health and Community Services. 

All updated guidelines may also be accessed on our website (http://www.cmtnl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CMTNL-Back-to-Work-Phase-1-^0-2-Updated-March-10-2021.pdf).

As always, the CMTNL will continue to communicate with the registrants in a timely manner should any changes occur with respect to this recommendation.  Please know that if you require any further guidance or information, you can contact us at any time, and we will do our best to provide the necessary guidance

As per the mandate announced by the Provincial Government on October 15^th, 2021, all regulated health care professionals are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by December 19^th, 2021.  I have attached the link for the Newfoundland and Labrador Regulation 2021, COVID-19 Vaccine Regulations under the Public Health Protection and Promotion Act (O.C 2021-64) which details who is included in this mandate (NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REGULATION 57/21 (assembly.nl.ca). 

The requirements are made under the COVID-19 Vaccine Regulations issued under the Public Health Protection and Promotion Act and will be enforced under that act.   Environmental Health Officers with the Department of Digital Government and Service NL have authority to monitor the implementation of the COVID-19 Vaccine Regulations.  Law Enforcement Officers (RNC and RCMP) have the authority to issue tickets under the Public Health Protection and Promotion Act, including Regulations enacted thereunder, and would be responsible for investigating any specific complaints of violations of the Regulations.

Depending on the violation, individuals could be subject to a fine of $500 to $2,500, or jail time up to 6 months, or both a fine and jail time. A corporation could be subject to a fine of $5,000 to $50,000.

Details on what to do if you are self employed, work from home, work in a business facility, exemptions from mandated vaccination, etc can be found here Mandatory Vaccination – COVID-19 (gov.nl.ca). 

The CMTNL has not received any other information other than what is available to the public.  If a complaint is made to the CMTNL about an RMT not complying with the mandate we will have to report it to the Department of Health and consider the individual in violation of professional misconduct for not complying with a legislative order.