College of Massage Therapists

The CMTNL AGM for the 2021 year will be on Saturday, September 18th, 2021 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm by Zoom. A link will be sent the week of the AGM. Please email registrar@cmtnl.ca to confirm attendance and receive the link.

As the province is about to open to the rest of Canada in July we remind RMTs the importance of screening and following guidelines. 

COVID Screening:

• RMTs can treat clients who travelled outside of the province  at their own or their clinic’s discretion 
• RMTs are allowed to require a maximum of 2 weeks waiting period, but not self-isolation, before a client can be treated if they travelled outside of the province
• Clients should be made aware of any new requirements prior to their appointments and it should be added to your COVID screening questionnaire
• Clients should be given options of alternatives to treatment if the RMT is denying/postponing treatment. This may include referral to another RMT, health provider, home care instructions and/or rescheduled for the next available appointment time after the two week waiting period 

Vaccines

• Clients may be asked if they are vaccinated for the sole purpose to update their personal health information however a client does not need to disclose this information
• A RMT does not need to disclose to clients if they are vaccinated or not
• Treatment can not be denied or postponed  based on vaccination status
• PPE requirements for clients (masks) and RMTs remain the same regardless of vaccination status

The number one defence we have to protect the public and the members is the screening and use of PPE. We understand many are tiring of the guidelines in place but  safety must always be at the forefront.  As the Chief Medical Officer makes recommendations and loosens restrictions we will do the same and update the members and public. 

Regards,

The Covid Committee

April 9^th, 2021

RE: Clients who are medically exempt from wearing masks

• Any client that is medically unable to wear a mask must provide documentation for your file.
• The client can wear a face shield at any time possible (entering the clinic, while laying face up, ect..)
• Take all precautionary measures to ensure your client has no contact with any other staff or clients.
• Full PPE should be wore while treating a client with no mask.

Based on the update from Department of Health and Community Services on Wednesday, March 24^th, 2021 the province of Newfoundland and Labrador is moving to Alert Level 2 on Saturday, March 27^th, 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. 

Stay safe, 

Yolanda Critch

CMTNL Registrar