In an effort to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Ontario has extended the Declaration of Emergency until May 12, 2020. The closure of non-essential businesses, put in place under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act has currently been extended until April 23, 2020 (and may be extended past this date). For more information, please visit the Government of Ontario’s website.

The guidance for Massage Therapists (MTs/RMTs) remains as follows: under the non-essential business closure all healthcare professionals are restricted from providing anything other than emergency/urgent care. RMTs should not practice because the practice of Massage Therapy is not emergency/urgent care.

The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) will email RMTs before April 23, 2020 to update you on the government’s non-essential business closure. You can also find regular updates on CMTO’s COVID-19 webpage.

CMTO knows this has been an unprecedented and extremely challenging time for RMTs, other healthcare professionals and Ontarians. At this time, CMTO is focused on continued operations, responding to questions and concerns about practice, and providing up-to-date information and guidance. Your questions and feedback are important to us. Please know that while we may not be able to answer all questions at the present time (e.g. how long will the non-essential business closure last? what will happen to registration fees in 2021?), we are compiling your feedback so that it can be considered at the appropriate time in the future.

In the meantime, RMTs should continue to follow the ongoing updates from the provincial and federal government regarding support for individuals and businesses financially impacted by the pandemic. Information about economic relief is available at: Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.

CMTO’s health system partner, the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario  (RMTAO), has been working on behalf of all RMTs to advocate for financial relief for the profession. RMTAO’s mandate involves being the voice of the profession, and CMTO’s mandate is public protection.

Thank you again for the contributions you are making to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 and we are wishing you all the best in this difficult time.