ARTICLE the length of your treatments , around 15-30 minutes between appointments is recommended .
If you have multiple practitioners operating from the same space , a good way to further reduce activity around the reception desk is to provide practitioners with access to online bookings , so that they can rebook clients on their device in the treatment room .
Minimise the number of people in your waiting room by reducing the number of chairs to maintain your capacity limit . Remind clients on their confirmation message to arrive just before their scheduled time .
Hygiene Ensuring that you wash hands with soap and water between each client will reduce the risks of transmission . Display hand washing instructions around the basins in your premises and ensure that you provide appropriate materials , in the form of anti-bacterial soap and paper towels .
For clients , provide hand sanitiser for their use on entry , and also at any point where they need to use a device , such as reception checkout . Contactless forms of payment should be encouraged , whether it ’ s prepayment for a consultation or “ tap and go ” options .
Infection Control Regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces , such as door handles , reception desk and massage tables needs to be undertaken several times a day . The cleaning materials , such as disinfectant and detergents , should be prepared in accordance with the manufacturers ’ instructions .
QR Code and Register The use of a QR code for checking in at premises is recommended , and may be legislated in some jurisdictions . The advantage of the QR Code check-in is that the Health Department is able to directly advise contacts of a recorded case . Delays , often lengthy , had been created in earlier lockdowns if a venue was closed and the Health Department was unable to contact the owners to determine who had been at the premises . In these situations , a diary is not adequate .
Clinics may also need to maintain a physical register to enable clients who don ’ t use devices to check in . Again , some states have introduced an online version where businesses can upload details , and this may be a better option , particularly if your opening and contact hours are limited .
MINIMISE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR WAITING ROOM BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CHAIRS TO MAINTAIN YOUR CAPACITY LIMIT .
Mask Wearing The Delta strain of COVID-19 that is currently circulating in the environment is a respiratory virus , spread by droplets . Wearing a surgical mask , or an N95 mask , when unable to physically distance reduces risk of transmission .
Depending on your State or Territory , masks may be mandated for use indoors , or when you are in a situation where you cannot maintain social distancing . For those practitioners who are providing bodywork services , wearing a mask , regardless of your State or Territory requirements , is a good way to improve your management of transmission risk .
Welfare of Staff and Clients Staff and clients need to be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 , and that they should not attend the clinic if they have such symptoms . Set up email or SMS reminders to advise clients of these requirements at least 48 hours before their appointment .
Staff should also be made aware of leave availability , as while they are waiting for a test result they may need to work remotely , if possible , or take leave .
At your clinic entrance , display the conditions for access , including the fact that those who have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days , or have current symptoms , should not enter your premises and should ring you to reschedule their appointment .
It is not mandatory for practitioners or their clients to be vaccinated in most jurisdictions at the time of compiling this report ( October 2021 ). Conditional mandates do exist for some registered health practitioners and through the last four months there have been numerous public health orders . Advice has changed rapidly so this is an area where you do need to monitor for updates .
It is important to be aware that the current public health advice is that staff and clients should be vaccinated to minimise risk , though it is still possible for vaccinated people to acquire and transmit COVID-19 . It is essential that people with symptoms of COVID-19 take an appropriate test and that it is negative before they return to work or book another treatment .
USEFUL LINKS 1 . NSW Government Covid Safety plans for health practices 2 . https :// www . nsw . gov . au / covid-19 / business / safety-plans / gp-and-other-health-providers
3 . Victorian Government , Six Principles of Covid Safe Workplaces , https :// www . coronavirus . vic . gov . au / six-principles-covidsafeworkplaces
4 . NSW Public Health Orders https :// www . health . nsw . gov . au / Infectious / covid-19 / Pages / public-health-orders . aspx
5 . Victorian Public Health Orders https :// www . dhhs . vic . gov . au / victorias-restriction-levelscovid-19
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