Gyms, spas, aesthetic service shops reopen under strict health rules

Gyms, spas, and aesthetic service shops reopened on Saturday in areas under a general community quarantine, though with stringent health protocols in place to prevent COVID-19 infections, Katrina Son reported on 24 Oras Weekend.

At a Quezon City gym, clients would not only have to make an appointment to use the facilities, they will need to wear masks and gloves while working out.

The gym equipment had also been spaced apart so clients can be socially distanced while exercising.

There was a policy called “spraygo” that was being enforced.

“Here in our gym we promote spraygo or spray-as-you-go,” explained owner Ela Zabayle-Tabia. “So we have stationed disinfecting spray bottles, para gamitin [ng clients] before and after gamitin ang equipment.”

Meanwhile, at an eyelash extension shop, everyone entering the shop, including customers, would need to wear PPEs.

Customers would also need to make appointments, while eyelash specialists were given regular medical checkups.

According to the shop's director of operations, Shantal Quintero, their specialists would first have to wash their hands, after which they would don gloves. And just to be extra careful, the gloves would then also be disinfected with rubbing alcohol.

Additionally, specialists would not only be wearing face shields, but there would also be an acrylic panel between them and the client.

All the safety equipment was disposable.

Conditions were equally stringent at a spa, were rooms are sanitized before and after use, with services given a limit of only one hour.

And while full-body massages were still prohibited, spot massages, such as back and foot massages, were available.

However, according to spa Franchising and Operations Vice President Gargean Racho, their masseuses and masseurs would not be wearing PPEs.

“With massage service, and ating pong mga therapist ay nage-exert ng effort. Full body effort sa kanila yan,” explained  Racho. “Kapag ang mga therapist po natin ay naka-PPE, and magsu-suffer naman po ng kalusugan ay ang ating mga tauhan.”

While all these establishments are now allowed to operate, the Trade Department emphasized that these shops should only do so at 30 percent capacity. — DVM, GMA News