Coronavirus COVID-19 Lockdown 2.0

November 6, 2020 | vickie
Thank you everyone for your patience in waiting for my communication, there has been a lot of development within the massage industry in the last 48 hours. Which ultimately has caused a lot of confusion.

The long and the short of it is: Level 4 and Level 5 Massage Therapists have been reclassified as Therapy Professionals with the register for industry classifications, along side physiotherapist, effectively making us “Healthcare Professionals”.  This then leads to the interpretation of the most recent lockdown legislation as to who can open, under what conditions and what treatment they can provide and to whom.

However, in saying this, there is nothing legally written in the latest lockdown legislation to confirm or recognise this change.  I have also received correspondence from Essex County Council, who issues my licence to practice, with the instruction to close. Failure to follow this instruction can lead to a fine and having my licence to operate revoked.

Therefore, it is with great regret that following the Governments announcement on Saturday 31st October and subsequent information, I can confirm Vickie Maher Massage Therapy will be closed from Thursday 5th November.

I have been thinking long and hard about what is the best thing for me to do, I had initially intended on breaking up for Christmas when the children broke up from school on Friday 18th December. If the reopening of this lockdown follows a staggered return like the first time then close contact services such as massage will, once again, be one of the last to return to work.

I also have another factor to consider, my Dad is now regarded as vulnerable, having suffered a mild heart attack 10 days ago; he is doing fine but needs to have further procedures over the coming weeks and currently is restricted to what he can do.

As one of his careers I want to keep him safe and well so he can have the required treatment without delay.  Of course, I have a responsibility to my family, friends, and clients alike, we need to keep each other safe so we can get through this as soon as possible. I have, therefore, made the extremely hard decision that I will keep my clinic closed until the New Year, reopening on Monday 4th January.

For those that have appointments already booked in I shall be contacting you directly to make the arrangements for the new year, this is going to take some time so please bear with me.

I shall be using this time to be constructive and proactive with my education and development; I am in the middle of a course learning more about women’s health throughout all life stages; the importance of core and biotensegrity; as well as continuing with the next levels of my Certificate in Integrated Myofascial Therapy (CiMFT).

I will, of course, still be here for you, if not in person but on the phone, via email or via video link, to offer my advice and support to all my clients where possible over this period so, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

All that remains for me to say is once again thank you for your understanding and continued support; stay safe, look after yourselves and each other

Where to find me

My clinic is based in west Brentwood, Essex.  It is walking distance from the High Street and Brentwood Rail Station; and a short drive from J28 of the M25, free parking is available on the drive.

Get in Touch

Contact me today and book an appointment