The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination information, regions returning to the colour-coded COVID-19 Framework, variants of concern (VOCs) and expert guidance on how to stay protected. Thank you to Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs/MTs) for your continued efforts to ensure the health and safety of Ontarians in this ongoing global pandemic.

Vaccination Information

Ontario is in Phase 1 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. CMTO is monitoring the vaccine roll-out closely and meets regularly with the Ontario Ministry of Health and peer colleges for progress updates on the vaccination distribution plan. While Ontario is still in the very early stages of the vaccine roll-out (due to limitations in vaccine supply), CMTO will share vaccination information with RMTs as it becomes available.

Vaccines will be distributed by Public Health Units (PHUs). We have started to hear from individual PHUs about vaccine pre-registration and we will be sharing the information with RMTs in those regions.

Recently, the Ontario Ministry of Health released updated Guidance for Prioritizing Health Care Workers for COVID-19 vaccination, identifying sub-prioritization among healthcare workers (including RMTs) based on risk, ethics and equity.

As CMTO awaits more detailed information on Ontario’s and each region’s vaccine distribution plans and timelines, RMTs are encouraged to access reliable, accurate and up-to-date information about the vaccine. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit CMTO’s COVID-19 page (new vaccine section), the Ontario Government’s COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario webpage and the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine-Relevant Information and Planning Resources webpage.

COVID-19 Variants of Concern

Three new VOCs are circulating globally and have been identified in Ontario. All public health measures to reduce transmission of the COVID-19 virus continue to apply to the new variants, but require more rigorous application due to the increased transmission risk. It is important that RMTs implement effective public health and infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures at all times, in all practice settings. In addition to the required surgical/procedure masks, RMTs should consider adding eye protection (face shield or goggles).

For general COVID-19 information, updates will continue to be available on our website, including new and updated Frequently Asked Questions, information on conducting risk assessments in practice, resources for mental health support during the pandemic and a link to the Ontario’s Workforce Matching Portal.

For additional information and resources, including the guidance and requirements for practice during the pandemic, please visit our COVID-19 webpage. 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.