Daily COVID-19 Update - April 23, 2020
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The following are the relevant COVID-19 updates for April 23, 2020.
Ontario Extends Emergency Orders
On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government is extending all emergency orders that have been put in place to-date until May 6, 2020.
This Emergency Order extension includes the closure of outdoor amenities in parks and recreational areas, non-essential workplaces, public places and bars and restaurants, along with restrictions on social gatherings and limiting staff from working in more than one retirement home or long-term care home.
Professional Liability Insurance Update
Trisura, the company that provides Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) for RMTAO members, has provided clarification on PLI coverage for RMTs offering telepractice appointments.
Telepractice, or the provision of massage therapy services online, is not excluded from this PLI program. Therefore if a therapist decides to proceed on this basis during the COVID period to maintain client relationships and initiate income the policy remains in full force and effect.
However, you need to continue to respect the Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics set by the College of Massage Therapist of Ontario (CMTO) and it is your responsibility to make certain that you are up-to-date with the CMTO's recommendations regarding telepractice. As a precautionary measure, Trisura recommends that RMTs contact the CMTO to ensure they are operating within guidelines.
Coverage will be determined on a case by case basis, upon consideration of the particular facts of any claim, together with the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions contained in the applicable policy.