A Message from The Board - COVID-19

Maryland Department of Health [Boards & Commission] sent this bulletin at 03/23/2020 06:30 AM EDT

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MARYLAND STATE BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPY EXAMINERS

Dear Licensees and Registrants:

We are living in unprecedented times. The situation with the coronavirus changes moment to moment. The Board of Massage Therapy Examiners is working diligently to ensure all licensees and registrants are informed. For all of us, it is important to work with clear facts about the on-going pandemic.

The Board has received questions and comments about its guidelines and recommendations for massage therapists. Licensees and registrants have asked the Board to make a decision regarding the status of massage therapy businesses and individual practices. In fact, there have been several requests for the Board to order all massage businesses in Maryland to close. The Board does not have the authority to tell a business to close as a response to a national or state emergency. That authority lies with Governor Hogan. The Board can only direct its licensees and registrants follow the Governor Hogan’s Executive Orders and those of the CDC.

At this point, the recommendation of the Board is to follow the Executive Orders from Governor Hogan. Further, the Board would recommend that its licensees and registrants follow recommendations from the CDC and the WHO. For individuals who have already closed their business or employees whose businesses have closed, included here are two websites that may be helpful. One is for small business disaster assistance. You can check the following link to see if you are eligible: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19 . The other website is for individuals who are interested to check the following link for their eligibility to apply for Maryland unemployment benefits: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/uicovidfaqs.shtml To keep up with what is happening with the coronavirus in the State, you can click on the link below:

https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/.

Massage Therapy is an amazing profession with individuals who are dedicated, intelligent, hard-working, and giving. We are therapists and practitioners who work with heart. We want what is best for our clients. Until there is an Executive Order from either Governor Hogan or the White House ordering massage therapy businesses to close, each therapist and practitioner must do what they see is best for themselves, their families, and their clients. It is important that we all stay informed and act according to the guidelines from our government officials.

Please now that the Board is committed to your health and safety and is working its best to keep you informed as information is received.

Board of Massage Therapy Examiners

Paula Jilanis, Board Chair

Caitlin Thompson, Vice Chair

David Cox, Secretary

Kirsten Bodnarchuk

Gwenda Harrison

Margaret Hayes

Diane Jones Richards

Please do not unsubscribe. This is an official notification from the Board.

This service is provided to you at no charge by Maryland Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy ExaminersNOTICE: Board responses to inquiries are intended for guidance purposes only. As these positions do not necessarily reflect a discussion of all material considerations required to reach the conclusions stated, they are not intended to be rules, regulations or official statements of the Board. Accordingly, due to their highly informal nature, these responses are not considered binding upon the Board and should not be relied on as definitive.