With Massage Therapists (RMTs) gradually resuming practice, the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) continues to work to answer your practice questions and provide you with the information you need to safely return to practice.

Client Resource

As RMTs resume practice, clients may have questions about Massage Therapy and COVID-19. They may want to know what will be different, what additional precautions their RMT is taking and what they can do to help.

CMTO has developed a client resource that you can display in your practice and share with clients online.

Patient Screening Guidance Updated

The Ministry of Health (MOH)’s COVID-19 Patient Screening Guidance was updated on June 11, 2020. Changes were made to questions 2 and 3. As a result of these changes, clients who have travelled outside of Ontario (but stayed within Canada) and clients who’ve had close contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 (but were wearing appropriate personal protective equipment) will no longer screen as positive for COVID-19. RMTs should use this updated document to screen clients for COVID-19.

These changes highlight how important it is to make sure you are using the most up-to-date version of any guidance document. Please make sure you are frequently referring the MOH’s Guidance for the Health Sector and CMTO’s COVID-19 webpage.

New Frequently Asked Questions

CMTO continues to receive a number of questions about Massage Therapy and COVID-19. Here are a few questions raised by RMTs, that may be applicable or of interest to you as well.

A client responds ‘yes’ to having one of the symptoms listed in Question 4 of the COVID-19 Patient Screening Guidance. Can I provide treatment?

If response to ANY of the screening questions is yes, the client will screen as positive for COVID-19.

RMTs cannot provide treatment to clients who screen positive for COVID-19. The RMT must advise the client that they should self-isolate and complete the online self-assessment tool before calling their primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

All client screening must be documented in the client health record.

Can CMTO assist with technical issues with Public Health Ontario (PHO)’s learning platform?

The learning platform for the training modules is independently managed by PHO. Here are a few tips if you are having technical issues:

• The online learning platform is compatible with Internet Explorer and Chrome. Modules will not work properly in Firefox or Safari browsers.
• The PHO modules are to be completed in real time through their online learning platform. You cannot download the modules.
• The modules are media heavy. Clearing your browser cache before completing each course will help things run smoothly.
• Refer to PHO’s Online Learning Requirements to get your computer ready for the best learning experience.
• Refer to PHO’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and How Do I Guide for additional support

Do RMTs need to submit the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) training completion certificates to CMTO?

RMTs are not required to submit proof of completion to CMTO at this time. RMTs should keep the completion certificates in their own records, in case they are asked to provide this information at a later time.

Please note, we continue to experience a high volume of calls and emails. We are working to respond as quickly as we can. Please visit the CMTO website for more information and responses to other Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have questions after reviewing the information on our website, please contact CMTO’s Practice Specialist at practicespecialist@cmto.com or by phone at (416) 489-2626/1-800-465-1933 extension 4124.