Chiropractic Open For Business - Phase 3 & Massage Therapists

There is a lot of good news happening as New York moves forward. 

Good news relative to containment progress:

It has been an exceptional week.  Keep following updates on https://forward.ny.gov.

  • New York City entered phase one. 
  • The Mid-Hudson region and Long Island entered phase two. 
  • Today, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier have entered Phase three. 
  • CHIROPRACTIC NOW HAS FULL ACCESS!! 

Please note last night’s message from Governor Cuomo:

Right now, we need to be cautious. I know businesses are anxious to open and we all want to get the economy going but we need to be careful — we can't make a mistake today that wipes out our hard-earned progress. COVID remains a public health threat and we are seeing worrying spikes in over twenty states. Data from California, Florida, Texas, Arizona and elsewhere show the virus is still spreading fast. 

New York is one of the exceptions. As our state reopens, the numbers continue to look good. That's because we are taking a careful approach to reopening and relying on numbers and data to guide us. But more importantly, it's because New Yorkers have been smart and we've been diligent. New Yorkers are informed, we understand the facts and we have acted responsibly. But we all need to remain vigilant to avoid the spikes other states are experiencing. 

Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier have been cleared by experts to enter the next phase. Phase 3 allows indoor restaurant and food services and personal care services, including nail salons, spas and tattoo and piercing facilities, to resume. Each industry is subject to specific state guidelines that maximize safety and social distancing. Business guidance for Phase 3 of the state's reopening plan is available here.

As the spread of the pandemic continues to slow and reopening announcements are made, many of you have contacted the NYSCA to inquire if or when you will be allowed to open your practices to all patients.  As noted yesterday, NYSCA lobbyist Amy Kellogg was instrumental in facilitating our reopening for all chiropractic patients (not just emergency patients) effective 6/11/20.  However, Governor Cuomo notes, we must remain vigilant.  Continue to follow all recommendations such as screenings, mandated PPE, disinfecting, and social distancing.  You can also access the new early warning dashboard to monitor and review how the virus is being contained on an ongoing basis as well as the regional monitoring dashboard.

Help stop the spread.

Reopening Lookup Tool

As doctors of chiropractic we recognize our importance to our community and the role that we play.  We remain interested our communities well being.  Reopening is dependent upon your regions ability to meet specific metrics which indicates the spread of the Coronavirus continues to improve and hospitals have adequate reserve in the event of a surge of new cases.  NYS has also developed an excellent tool which allows you to search real time to determine the reopening status of each industry by county.  That link is located at https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/nyforward.

Follow the instructions (enter the county and industry) to determine the phase of reopening. 

For example, as this morning, our profession (which was always essential) has been updated throughout New York from “Open with Restrictions” to: OPEN FOR BUSINESS

NAICS: 621310

Industry: Offices of Chiropractors

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Your business is located in Nassau county, which is in Long Island regionLong Island is in Phase 2 of reopening.

Your business is currently permitted to operate.

Please use this business safety plan template to develop a mandatory safety plan outlining how your workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Those of you who work with or employ massage therapists can utilize the same Lookup Tool, utilizing NAICS Code 621399.   It was announced this week that massage therapists will be included in phase three under the ‘Personal Care’ section.  This is great news for massage therapists practicing in the 5 regions listed above, as they can again resume practice today.

If you employ or practice with massage therapists, you are encouraged to review the mandatory and recommended best practice summary guidelines required for Personal Care. The detailed requirements for Personal Care and affirmation link may be found using this link.

Remember, your local health department is your community contact for COVID-19 concerns.  If you require emotional support, health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741.  If you have any additional questions, or would like to share useful information with other doctors of chiropractic throughout the state, please contact us at [email protected].

Please also visit the resources on the NYSCA website which include valuable resources to help reignite your practice and protect your patients.  There is a Guide to Reopening and Reigniting Your Practice, Template signs and letters, and social media images you can use to announce the removal of restricted practice.  The Guide includes detailed links such as phone screening questions and link to the required safety template. 

We hope these resources help you serve your patients and community and grow your practice out of this crisis.

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