COVID-19 (Coronavirus) 

(Last updated – September 25, 2020)

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Winnipeg Metropolitan Region - Restrictions  |  Pandemic Response System  |  Self-Isolation and Travel  |  State of Emergency Extended  |  MTAM Return to Practice Guidelines | Non-Critical Business Closure | Federal/Provincial/Municipal Announcements | Clinical Information | Financial Supports | Business Supports | General Pandemic Information | Additional Resources

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to change rapidly, as does the information available regarding directives and recommendations. MTAM is working tirelessly to convey information and develop resources for you to effectively manage through this pandemic.

The MTAM office has re-opened by appointment only at this time. Please email info@mtam.mb.ca for an appointment. Individuals will be asked screening questions prior to entering the office and are encouraged to wear a mask and respect physical distancing guidelines.

This page is dedicated to COVID-19 information and is available on the public side of the website so that you and your staff can easily access the information. Other resources are specific to MTAM members and are found in the Member Portal under the Business Tips & Practice Advice section. We encourage you to check these pages daily to look for new and/or updated information.

In the coming months, as the number of active cases rise and fall throughout the province, RMTs should continually review procedures in their practices and take steps to minimize risk of transmission wherever possible.

MTAM strongly recommend that all members continue to follow the use of PPE including the use of masks for both RMTs and patients, enhanced sanitization procedures and other recommendations as described in the MTAM Return to Practice Guidelines as well as the guidelines set forth by the province's Safe Services Plan. This recommendation is made for the safety of our members and all Manitobans.

MTAM will update members via our website and by email if public health orders, guidelines or restrictions change and if there are any changes in MTAM's recommendations to members.

In the meantime, please continue to focus on the fundamentals to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Continue to use recommended PPE for both public and RMT safety;
  • Continue to ensure people are able to reasonably maintain two metres of distance;
  • Only conducting necessary and brief exchanges within two metres of others;
  • Continue to apply enhanced cleaning protocols, including common areas like washrooms;
  • Continue to allow appropriate time between appointments for sanitization;
  • Continue to use the Shared Health Screening Tool for patients prior to treatments and for staff before they come to work;
  • Ensure staff stay home when feeling sick; and
  • Follow personal risk reduction measures.

Public safety has always been of utmost concern for MTAM and its members. Patients are encouraged to contact their RMT with any treatment-related questions. MTAM members are aware of screening and safety procedures and can answer questions or direct patients to contact Health Links as appropriate. 

“MTAM members are committed to providing professional healthcare and delivering profound results,” says MTAM Board President Tami Laird. “They care about the safety of their patients and the public, and about upholding the guidelines and protocols to ensure we continue to flatten the curve. MTAM and its Board of Directors fully support members, whether they have already returned to work, or if they are taking additional time to prepare. We are in this together.” 

MTAM encourages members to watch the Returning to Practice webinar, and to refer to the MTAM website COVID-19 page and Member Portal for updates and other resources. They may also contact MTAM for individual practice advice when needed.

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Winnipeg Metropolitan Region Elevated to Restricted Level Beginning September 28th

On September 25th, due to elevated numbers of positive COVID-19 cases, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region has been elevated to the Restricted (Orange) Level as of 12:01 AM on September 28th.

Individuals in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region must:  

  • Wear a mask in all indoor public places and at all gatherings (indoor and outdoor).   
  • Limit public gatherings to a maximum of 10 people indoors and outdoors.   
  • Stay home when sick.   
  • Practice social distancing, hand washing/sanitizing and cough etiquette.   
  • Follow public health guidance on travel and self-isolation.   
  • Vulnerable people, such as seniors, are encouraged to exercise additional caution.  

MTAM members will be receiving an email shortly to help clarify how the new orders impact will impact their practices.

As always, to help minimize risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the MTAM Board of Directors strongly recommends that all members continue to follow these public health fundamentals regardless of the region they live and practice in:

  • Use the Shared Health Screening Tool to self-screen and always stay at home when you’re sick, even if mildly ill.
  • Screen all individuals entering your clinic/practice and prior to receiving treatment.
  • Enhance personal hygiene, including:
    • regular and thorough handwashing;
    • covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing;
    • avoiding sharing food or drinks; and,
    • avoiding touching your face.
  • Enhance sanitization practices in your clinic.
  • Ensure people at higher risk of complications due to COVID-19 take extra precautions and avoid enclosed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings.
  • Due to the nature of our work and the close proximity that we have to maintain with clients, MTAM strongly recommends that all RMTs and those entering their clinic wear masks whenever possible even in regions in which the risk is considered lower.
  • People with COVID-19 symptoms should contact Health Links – Info Santé for testing directions or go directly to a designated site to get tested.

 

Government of Manitoba - Pandemic Response System

On August 19th the province announced the new Pandemic Response System which allows for public health restrictions to be applied to specific areas of the province as needed. MTAM will be providing additional information in the coming days on how this system applies to RMTs and how they can utilize it more effectively in their practices.

In the meantime, please visit the Government of Manitoba Pandemic Response System website and the Pandemic Response by Region page to learn more.

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Self-Isolation and Travel

MTAM recommends that RMTs and massage therapy clients should be mindful of current provincial and federal travel restrictions and self-isolation requirements. 

In general, anyone arriving in Manitoba is required to self-isolate for 14-days upon arrival to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, there are exceptions to this requirement specified in the order.

Individuals who are exempt from the self-isolation order should self-monitor for symptoms and immediately self-isolate and contact Health Links should they develop symptoms. 

They should: 

  • maintain an appropriate physical distance from others
  • follow all general public health measures (e.g., hand hygiene, cough etiquette, etc.) where possible, avoid settings where physical distancing is not possible. 

Appropriate precautions should be taken to protect close contacts who are at highest risk of serious complications from COVID-19 (i.e., people older than 60 years and those living with chronic conditions), including requirements relating to visiting persons in an acute care or long-term care facility.

Travel restrictions to northern Manitoba (north of the 53rd parallel of latitude) and to remote communities that are not connected to the provincial highway system by a year-round all-weather road will be reinstated on September 3rd. 

There will be a number of exemptions to the travel restrictions, including people who live in northern Manitoba or plan to move there; people who travel to lodges or campgrounds directly, including travel directly to Churchill; government or Crown corporation workers, or those who work for a government or child and family services agency; health-care providers; those travelling for emergency health reasons; people who own or operate businesses and travel to provide goods, services or operate that business; and travel related to parenting arrangements.

Manitobans are asked to respect any restrictions that individual First Nation communities have in place.

Full details can be found on the Government of Manitoba and Government of Canada websites. 

MTAM members should also refer to the Return to Practice guidelines for further information on self-isolation and travel.

We ask that massage therapy clients be understanding of RMTs and clinics that may need to implement more stringent policies for their practices. Every practice is different and staff may need to take additional precautions to minimize the risk of transmition to their clients and staff. Please discuss any concerns that you may have with your RMT and/or clinic.

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September 10th - The Government Of Manitoba Extends The State Of Emergency For An Additional 30 Days

The Manitoba Government has extended the provincewide State of Emergency under The Emergency Measures Act to continue to protect the health and safety of all Manitobans and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The extension takes effect at 4 p.m., Thursday, September 10th for a period of 30 days.

A State of Emergency allows the Government to take quick action to support Manitobans when they need it most. The State of Emergency was first declared on March 20 by the powers set out in section 10(1) and 10(2) of The Emergency Measures Act to enable the province to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was further extended on April 18, May 17, June 15, July 14, and August 12.
 
For additional information and to view the State of Emergency and public health orders, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/soe.html.

For more information on The Emergency Measures Act and a State of Emergency, visit:
https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/e080e.php.

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Federal, Provincial and Municipal Government Announcements
This section contains regular announcements or declarations by both Federal and Provincial Governments.

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Clinical Information
This section contains information on clinical resources available to practitioners based on Shared Health Manitoba, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the World Health Organization.

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Small Business Resources and Employment Insurance
This section contains information on how to manage the pandemic as a small business owner, including your responsibilities to your employees and what government supports will be available to employees and self-employed individuals. This is an area that we expect to evolve rapidly in the next few weeks as government support plans become more fully developed.

Financial Supports

Business Supports

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General Pandemic Information
This section provides links to trusted sources on the pandemic and a link to travel advisories that affect all Canadians.

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Additional Resources 

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