Responsible RestartOhio Plan
April 28, 2020
Massage Therapy
To date, massage therapy locations are not included in the Ohio Department of Health’s Responsible RestartOhio plan. Only massages done as a part of a patient’s plan of care, in a health care setting such as a doctor’s office, hospital or chiropractor’s office, may continue.
Health Care Reopening
Beginning May 1, 2020, all medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a health care facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimizes use of personal protective equipment may move forward. This includes regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures, and diagnostic tests. Dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established.
Health care providers and facilities that plan to resume providing these services must adhere to infection control practices, have sufficient PPE, and talk with patients about the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Surgeries and procedures that, if not performed, would cause a threat to a patient's life, a threat of the spread of cancer or the permanent dysfunction of a limb or organ, the presence of severe symptoms causing an inability to perform activities of daily living, and/or the risk of rapidly worsening symptoms have always been permitted even if an overnight stay is necessary.
Continued Business Closures
Personal appearance/beauty services, including massage therapy locations, hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body piercing locations, tanning facilities, and similar businesses are to remain closed per existing Stay at Home Orders unless a variance is granted or until related orders are amended or rescinded. Click here for a full list of continued business closures.
Responsible RestartOhio Plan
The general safe business practices that all businesses must follow as they reopen are:
- Strongly recommending face coverings for all employees, clients, and customers at all times
- Conducting daily health assessments or self-evaluations of employees to determine if they should work
- Maintaining good hygiene at all times such as hand washing and social distancing
- Cleaning and sanitizing workplaces throughout the day and at the close of business or between shifts
- Limiting capacity to meet social distancing guidelines
Additional RestartOhio Resources
CDC Updates COVID-19 Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of these symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills*
- Muscle pain*
- Headache*
- Sore throat*
- New loss of taste or smell*
*newly-added symptoms on CDC's website
Resources