With Northern Light Health’s announcement that they would no longer require masks at most of their facilities, effective April 20, 2023, I began to review policy changes here at Birch Tree Wellness. Given the up-close nature of massage, I continue to be cautious, but maybe cautiously optimistic. These COVID policy changes are effective as of May 1, 2023.
MASKS ARE OPTIONAL: You will not need to wear a mask to enter the office, and you can choose whether or not to wear one while face up on the table.
Please consider wearing a mask if:
- You are super chatty during your massage
- You have been exposed to anyone who is ill (COVID, cold, whatever)
- You have any respiratory symptoms (cough, congestion, runny nose - yes, even though it’s allergy season)
- If you are immune compromised
I WILL still be wearing a mask while you are face up, particularly when working around your head
VACCINES ARE STILL REQUIRED: Especially since I’m loosening mask requirements, I will continue to require vaccines as close to the current CDC guidelines as you can manage.
CURRENT CDC GUIDELINES:
- Everyone age 6 and over should have received the new bivalent booster.
- New guidelines out at the end of April recommend that people over 65 or who are immune compromised receive a second bivalent booster.
- Ideally you should have at least one bivalent vaccine by now, if it has been more than a year since your last booster or COVID infection, please reschedule once you have been boosted.
- I do not expect to change the vaccine requirement very soon, especially since we’re giving this "masks optional" thing a go.
All the massage equipment and room surfaces are wiped down with hospital-grade disinfectant after each appointment. A fan and air purifier are running in the massage room all day. I received the most recent COVID booster and a flu shot on October 26th and will receive a second bivalent booster as soon as I am able to.
If you’ve been exposed to COVID or have had COVID within the last two weeks, please take a home test the morning of your appointment. If you still have symptoms, please reschedule. I understand there is often a lingering bit of cough with COVID and that’s okay.
As usual, if you’re not feeling well for any reason, please don’t come in. There are no penalties for same-day cancellations if you’re sick, though 24 hours or more is greatly appreciated. Please wait until the symptoms have been gone for at least 5 days before rescheduling. If I am not feeling well, I will reach out to you as soon as possible before your appointment.
These policies are subject to change as the circumstances change.
Thank you for your continued patience.
Stay well,
Tricia