Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Message From AMTA - MN
May 21, 2020
AMTA - MN is continuing to work with our lobbyist and the Walz administration for clarification on the new Executive Order announcement on May 20, 2020 that included opening Restaurants, Bars, Tattoo Parlors, Barbershops and Salons on June 1st, 2020. We are waiting for the Executive Order that lists specifically that massage is included before we make any further announcements to move forward with reopening.
In preparation, there are several documents that are useful. Please see the attached FSMTB guidelines and the personal care industry guidance from Minnesota DEED.
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Message From AMTA - MN
May 20, 2020
AMTA - MN is working with our lobbyist and the Walz administration for clarification to the new Executive Order announcement today, May 20, 2020, that included opening Restaurants, Bars, Tattoo Parlors, Barbershops and Salons on June 1, 2020. Once we receive clarification to know if massage is listed specifically in this Executive Order we will send another notice to clarify when Massage Therapy is to open.
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Message From AMTA - MN
May 14, 2020
Governor Walz signed two new executive orders yesterday, May 13, 2020, that impact the Massage Therapy profession.
20-53 EO extends the peacetime state of emergency to June 12th.
20-56 EO 7 a & b: gives our industry a projected open date of June 1st. See below.
"7. Workers and businesses. Workers and businesses are subject to the requirements set forth below.
a. Extension of temporary closure of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation. The closure of bars, restaurants, and other public accommodations set forth in Executive Order 20-04, as amended by Executive Orders 20-08 and 20-18, is extended until May 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm. Barbershops and salons may continue to conduct retail product sales in accordance with the requirements for Non-Critical Businesses set forth below.
b. Plan to reopen bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation. The Commissioners of Health, Employment and Economic Development, and Labor and Industry are directed to develop a phased plan to achieve the limited and safe reopening of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation beginning on June 1, 2020. This plan will be ready for presentation to the public no later than May 20, 2020."
The American Massage Therapy Association - Minnesota Chapter Board is working diligently to provide relevant updates to you, our membership, as often as we can. As well as, work with AMTA National, State officials and lawmakers, our lobbyist, the Minnesota Chiropractic Association, the AMTA insurance company (HPSO), MN Department of Employment and Economic (DEED), and financial intuitions. We have also looked for guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health on what the guidelines will be when we are all able to practice again. Every day, we receive multiple emails and phone calls asking questions and sharing frustrations. We want to know that we hear you and are working hard to answer in the best and most intelligent way that we can, as promptly as we can.
We are here for you and we welcome your questions and concerns. We think about your future as a massage therapist and we are consistently working for you!
Clarification of Massage in Chiropractic Clinics:
If you are a massage therapist that is employed, contracted or rent a treatment room in a chiropractor's office and have a referral from that chiropractor to provide massage therapy as part of a treatment plan you are allowed to practice.
If you are in a free standing massage therapy business, or any business that provides massage you are NOT allowed to practice by Executive Order. This includes "in home massage"
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Message From AMTA - MN
April 23, 2020
Modified Explanation of Executive Order
The Declaration of a Peacetime Emergency 20-01 is the foundation for all the other emergency orders. If this expires all the other orders expire as well.
Executive Orders 20-04 and 20-08 Public Accommodations, which includes the closure of business that provide massage, also states that each "remains in effect until the peacetime emergency declared, Executive Order 20-01 is terminated or until it is rescinded by proper authority." Without modification, they continue as long as the peacetime emergency continues.
Executive Order 20-01 has been extended to May 13, 2020. If this order is extended again, so will Executive orders 20-04 and 20-08
Emergency Executive Order 20-35
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From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic "stay at home" Executive order, the American Massage Therapy Association - Minnesota Chapter Board has worked diligently to provide relevant updates to you, our membership, as often as we can. As well as, work with AMTA National, State officials and lawmakers, our lobbyist, the Minnesota Chiropractic Association, the AMTA insurance company (HPSO), MN Department of Employment and Economic (DEED), and financial intuitions.
We have also looked for guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
and Minnesota Department of Health on what the guidelines will be when we are all able to practice again. Every day, we receive multiple emails and phone calls asking questions and sharing frustrations. We want to know that we hear you and are working hard to answer in the best and most intelligent way that we can, as promptly as we can.
The AMTA is a non-profit Association serving and supporting its members and the massage therapy community. It is not a regulatory board, advisory committee or governing body. The American Massage Therapy Association can not, legally, advise you what to do in your private practice or as an employee. We can only give you the information and facts that we have, as we have them. The AMTA - MN is a volunteer board elected by membership. The chapter members give their time without compensation, and are all suffering with financial difficulties due to COVID-19, just like you. We are fighting for not only each of you but for our profession, as a whole. This fight is beyond our scope of volunteerism, however, we recognize that "we" are "you", all at the same time.
The State of Minnesota has no regulation for Massage Therapy. Meaning, there is not a state license, therefore each city municipality regulates the laws set forth for massage therapists, establishments and defines massage therapy. AMTA - MN introduced a licensing bill in the 2019-2020 legislative session. However, when the global pandemic COVID-19 hit Minnesota, legislation regarding COVID-19 took the lead over our bill and we were stalled until next session (2020-2021). We are prepared to re-introduce our bill next legislative session.
Because there is no state regulation for the massage therapy profession, and we do not have a Regulatory Board or Advisory Committee to oversee Massage Therapy to give direction to our profession, our AMTA - MN Chapter Board is forced to meet this challenge. We work very hard in cooperation with our state and national organizations to provide the correct and relevant information to provide to the Massage Therapy public.
The biggest question we have to face is, how do we move forward and return to work safely?
This is something we are working on daily. Our AMTA - MN Board must take direction from the Minnesota Department of Health (MNDH), Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and AMTA National. We do not have an answer yet, as the development of this disease is changing and our protocols for safe sanitary return to work have to follow suit. By the time we are allowed to go back to work, safety protocols will be put into place and shared with all of you.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development
(DEED) would like to hear your ideas. How can your business or employer best practice social distancing effectively, using CDC guidelines. You can respond to their survey here.
We are here for you and we welcome your questions and concerns. We think about your future as a massage therapist and we are consistently working for you!
Be Well!
AMTA - MN Board
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Message from AMTA - MN Chapter
April 09, 2020
Clarification of Massage in Chiropractic Clinics:
In response to inquiries the American Massage Therapy Association - Minnesota Chapter and The Minnesota Chiropractic Association has received about providing massage therapy, at this time, the AMTA - MN and MCA requested clarification from the State of Minnesota. The MCA Guidance was shared with the Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Massage Therapy Analysis
The guidance requested and the clarification from the administration was specific to chiropractic and was based on interpretation of Executive Order 20-20, the Stay-at-Home Order. Under that Order certain services and employees were exempted from the Stay-at-Home requirement because they were deemed critical. Chiropractors were deemed to be exempt from the order.
The clarification does allow for massage therapy to be provided by a Dr. of chiropractor directly or through a supervised qualified professional in a chiropractic clinic, if the doctor of chiropractic determines it is a necessary part of the treatment plan to treat diagnosed, acute, neuromusculoskeletal condition.
Therefore, under Executive Order 20-20 as clarified, massage therapy can be provided through a massage therapist for a diagnosed acute condition, as part of the chiropractic treatment plan, and under the supervision of a licensed chiropractor.
Additionally, with Order 20-04 and 20-08 closing "businesses offering massage therapy" the massage must be provided within the chiropractic clinic.
Free-standing massage therapy businesses must remain closed.
In Summary:
If you are a massage therapist that is employed, contracted or rent a treatment room in a chiropractor's office AND have a referral from that chiropractor to provide massage therapy as part of a current treatment plan you are allowed to practice.
If you are in a free-standing massage therapy business, or any other business that provides massage you are NOT allowed to practice by Executive Order.
The American Massage Therapy Association can not, legally, advise you what to do in your private practice or as an employee. We can only give you the information and facts that we have, as we have them.
CARES Act: https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/cares-act.jsp
Executive Order 20-33: Stay at home until May 3rd: https://mn.gov/governor/assets/2a.%20EO%2020-33%20Final_tcm1055-427370.pdf
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Message from AMTA - MN
March 31, 2020
Over the last few weeks we have received many questions about practicing Massage Therapy in Minnesota. The American Massage Therapy Association can not, legally, tell you what to do in your private practice or as an employee. We can only give you the information and facts that we have.
Executive order 20-18 on Public Accommodations, to May 1st 2020. https://mn.gov/governor/covid-19/covid-news.jsp?id=424820
Reference 20-08 paragraph 1:
1. Paragraph 1.e. of Executive Order 20-04 is amended by the following additions (indicated by underlined text) and deletions: Gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, exercise studios, tanning establishments, body art establishments, tattoo parlors, piercing parlors, businesses offering massage therapy or similar body work, spas, salons, nail salons, cosmetology salons, esthetician salons, advanced practice esthetician salons, eyelash salons, and barber shops. This includes, but is not limited to, all salons and shops licensed by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners and the Minnesota Board of Barber
Examiners.
In addition, all AMTA members hold professional liability insurance, please reference HSPO policy.
AMTA's liability insurance, provided through HPSO, requires that covered AMTA members are appropriately licensed to provide professional services and that they comply with state, federal, and facility guidelines relative to scope of practice and practice setting.
If there is a government order that mandates non-essential businesses close, and massage therapy is not considered essential in that governmental jurisdiction, then the therapist would be practicing outside of the governmental order, guidance, law or regulation; and coverage would be excluded in the event of a claim.
Call HPSO with specific questions about AMTA's coverage: 1-888-253-1474.
The Minnesota Chapter Board is here to assist you anyway we can. We are sending out as much information as we can to help you in this time of need. Unfortunately, we are not able to help with individual applications, how to answer questions on your applications or how to contact any of these agencies outside the information we have given. We wish we could be of more support in those areas.
Warmly,
AMTA - Minnesota Board
amta.minnesota@gmail.com
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Message From AMTA - Minnesota
March 25, 2020
This afternoon Governor Walz made several announcements in the continued effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Announcement of a "stay at home" order https://mn.gov/governor/covid-19/ .
Executive Emergency order 20-08/ 20-04 Public Accommodations was extended from March 27th at 5:00 pm to May 1st at 5:00 pm. https://mn.gov/governor/covid-19/covid-news.jsp?id=424820
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Message From AMTA - Minnesota
March 24,2020
We are here with you, in solidarity, as we go through these uncertain times. We understand the fears and frustrations and we want you to know we are working hard to ensure we can get through this together. Stay positive! (but not for the virus)
Yesterday, March 23, 2020, Minnesota Governor Walz signed four new Executive Orders. They are listed below. If you would like to sign up for updates from Governor Walz you may go to the website here https://mn.gov/governor/. Each day there is a health update at 2:00 pm on TV to review any new developments and Executive orders. You can access all the executive orders here https://mn.gov/governor/news/executiveorders.jsp
March 23rd 2020, Governor Walz four Executive Orders:
20-14 SUSPEND EVICTION PROCEEDINGS DURING THE COVID-19 PEACETIME EMERGENCY
20-15 SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY LOAN PROGRAM
1) Minnesota Employment and Economic Development (DEED): https://mn.gov/deed/
DEED Emergency Business Loans: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/press-releases/?id=424384
DEED Resource Center: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/
2) Learn about the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) at the Small Business Administration (SBA):
MN small businesses now eligible for disaster relief loans from the SBA: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19
Emergency SBA Loan Application: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
Emergency Disaster Loans (FEMA/SBA) FAQ sheet: https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2015/10/30/commonly-asked-questions-benefits-sba-disaster-loans or https://www.fema.gov/
DEED Creating Emergency Loan Program for Minnesota Small Businesses: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/press-releases/?id=424384
For Employees, Independent Contractor and Self Employed
DEED is encouraging all employees who are out of work due to COVID-19 related business interruption and closures, regardless of whether they are independent contractors/self-employed, to apply for unemployment benefits. The waiting period for benefits has been waived.
Overview of New Short Term Unemployment Regulations in Minnesota: https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid-19.jsp
Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program: https://www.uimn.org/uimn/
*****HELPFUL TIP*****
When applying for unemployment, you will be asked to enter in your "Employers/Company Name".
If you are self employed and not registered with the state, follow this trick to get you through the system:
Enter in the name of any company known company in this section.
On the next page it asks you to verify this company is correct. Under that statement, is a box that says "I do not see my employer listed"
CHANGE your answer to this response.
You should be able to complete the form after that.
Facebook Small Business Grants Program: https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants?ref=eml
For Employers:
Learn more about Minnesota's recent Executive Order regarding Unemployment Insurance impacting business owners: https://www.uimn.org/employers/employer-account/news-updates/covid-19.jsp
FAQ sheet for Minnesota Employers and Businesses: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/employers/employer-faqs/
20-16 DIRECTING ALL NON-HOSPITAL ENTITIES TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY AND DONATE THEIR PPE, VENTILATORS, RESPIRATORS, AND ANESTHESIA MACHINES
20-17 CLARIFICATION TO 20-09, ALSO APPLIES TO VETERINARY SURGERIES AND PROCEDURES
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AMTA Membership Dues Update
March 23, 2020 - 5:00 pm
Effective immediately AMTA will no longer cancel memberships for non-payment through at least May 31, 2020. We ask those members that are still able to pay their membership dues to consider doing so, as this will enable AMTA to broaden this effort for those that are less fortunate during this crisis. AMTA is a community and you are AMTA. This is just one way we rally behind each other.
Feel free to contact AMTA National directly with your concerns, you can email them at info@amtamassage.org or at 1-877-905-2700
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MBLEx and National Certification Exam Updates
March 20, 2020
The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)
The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards has closed all locations for MBLEx testing and will not increase exam fees as previously announced.
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
The National Certification Board has announced that all US and Canadian testing locations for the Board Certification exam are closed from March 18 through April 15. Click here for FAQs from the testing center, Prometric.
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Support Economic Efforts To Help The Massage Therapy Industry, Severely Impacted By COVID-19
March 19, 2020 - 11:00 am
Please read the letter (LINKED HERE) in which we are asking all massage therapists, along with our industry and organizational partners, to take a moment and contact your individual U.S. representative and U.S. senators to express support for economic relief and aid for the massage therapy profession and small businesses, schools and independent contractors across the United States.
CLICK HERE TO READ AND SUBMIT TO CONGRESS
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Message from AMTA Minnesota Chapter
March 21, 2020
The AMTA Minnesota Chapter Board has been working on getting you the most support we can, at this time. We have had a discussion with the MN House of Representatives, today, about the concerns of shutting down our businesses with relativity no financial support. Below are some answers to some of our questions. We are working with them to be able to get more concrete support for you, as fast as we can.
"Our caucus is particularly concerned about the effects on the self-employed and contract workers.
DEED is encouraging all employees who are out of work due to COVID-19 related business interruption and closures, regardless of whether they are independent contractors/self-employed, to apply for unemployment benefits. The waiting period for benefits has been waived. Go here to apply for benefits:
https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid-19.jsp
DEED is continually updating its website with information for business owners and employees as it comes in. Please check here for accurate, up to the minute information: https://mn.gov/deed/
Commissioner Grove (DEED) has said officials are looking at other state and federal resources to help workers and businesses, including the federal Small Business Administration disaster loan program. He said funding could be available in the next couple weeks from the disaster program, which provides low-interest loans to businesses.
More needs to be done to explore ways to help people who are in the creative economy and are self-employed. Discussions are ongoing" - Mark Laliberte, Constituent Services Coordinator, MN House GOP
We encourage you to sign up for legislative updates from your representatives so information can be pushed directly to you, when it becomes available. You can sign up on your respective Representative's web page. Those can be found
here.
We realize this is just a start but we are working hard to get you what you need.
Warmly,
AMTA - MN Board
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Message from AMTA Minnesota Chapter
March 17, 2020
In response to Minnesota State Governor Tim Walz's declaration of a peacetime state of emergency amid the COVID-19 outbreak, we have struggled with what the next steps are to deliver to you, our massage therapist community. We are in uncharted territory and have much to consider given that the social distancing practices suggested by Minnesota Department of Health which though a safe practice, directly affect our profession and the ability to work with our massage clients, that directly impacts our business, our livelihood and our ability to economically sustain. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we, Minnesota chapter volunteers, attempt to make sense of what is going on and get not only the facts to you but also the support we know we are all looking for. We understand the frustration and fears, as we are practicing massage therapists, as well. We too, have been waiting for National AMTA to make an official statement with some support. We hope this comes soon.
In the mean time, this is what we know.
Yesterday, Minnesota Governor Walz announced MN is in a state of emergency with social distancing guidelines of no closer than 6 feet, he asked for all spas and salons to be closed until further notice (2-4 weeks). This was also asked of all non-emergency medical facilities. We can not and do not try to define what type of business you run or work for. We can not tell you how to conduct your practice. However, we hope that the information below is something that you read, consider and then decide what is best for you and your practice.
Ruth Werner, Massage Therapist, Educator and Author of "A Massage Therapist Guide to Pathology" has written this article and is urging all Massage Therapists to "Shut it down" Full article can be found here
If your job has been affected by COVID-19, please look into this for assistance.
https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid-19.jsp
One of our supporting companies, Clinicsense, has published some information for Massage Therapists to print and use. You can find this information here:
https://clinicsense.com/blog/2020/03/16/covid-19-resources-massage-therapists/
Please refer to the links below for additional information:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fprevention-treatment.html
Additional preparation and prevention guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health can be found here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/prevention.html
Slowing the spread of Corona Virus:
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/action.pdf
AMTA National Article - Focus On Your Health + Safety
https://www.amtamassage.org/articles/1/News/detail/4023/focus-on-your-health-safety
Please understand that the Minnesota Chapter volunteers are working tirelessly to support you and your business, as well as our own and our families.
We will keep you notified of any additional supporting information.
Feel free to contact AMTA National directly with your concerns, you can email them at info@amtamassage.org or at 1-877-905-2700
Warmly,
AMTA - Minnesota Board
amta.minnesota@gmail.com