Malta has allowed massage parlours to reopen as of Friday, subject to new restrictions intended to promote hygiene and social distancing.

As per the new guidelines, clients must wear a face mask at all times while staff must wear a mask too when providing a service. This means that procedures such as facial massages that involve the removal of the client’s mask are no longer allowed.

If equipment such as stones or bags of herbs are used in massages, this equipment must be thoroughly cleaned or disposed of between clients. If cleaning is not possible, such procedures should not be carried out.

The guidelines also state that it is imperative for the masseur to avoid touching intimate parts of the client’s body and to always keep their face a forearm’s length away from the client’s body.

Hand sanitisers must be made available at the reception area and near all work areas for employee and client use, acrylic or tempered glass barriers two metres from the floor should be fitted in reception areas, and couches and chairs must be kept at a minimum distance of to metres from each other or separated by an acrylic or tempered glass barrier which is two metres high.

Just as is the case in other outlets, massage parlours must ensure that the maximum capacity of people inside the facility at any one time is one person per four square metres, including staff.

Staff should encourage clients to book appointments online or by phone and arrive for their appointment on time and by themselves. They are also encouraged to keep records of appointments, including contact details, for a minimum of four weeks to facilitate potential contact tracing. Just as is the case with hair salons, magazines should be removed from the premises.

These are the guidelines in full