There’s a couple of hotels in Liverpool still taking bookings, one I normally work from has now stepped up security slightly, closing the main door at 10pm, taking £100 deposit and asking for identification, other than that nothing much has changed, clients was still up until 10pm able to enter/exit the hotel with no problems. An apartment block I  used this week has no security what’s so ever, no deposits taking or questions asked. I suppose different places have different ways of doing things. I’ve only started working again the last two weeks, working once a week, 1st day was awful but I didn’t show my number till the day of working but this week was a lot better after showing my number a few days beforehand.

I was sent the following message from a massage directory:

The government has said these businesses can open from today:

Dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services, including services relating to mental health

It has also said that massage parlors cannot open yet.

An osteopath is a hands-on treatment the same as massage which makes a good case for massage being ok but not in a parlor

If we can find out any more information we will keep you informed

I can’t see this information on any UK goverment site?

........

I'm back at work now. They reckon 1 in 400 of the UK population has Covid-19. The R is below 1, there are plenty of hospital beds - and if Cummings can break lockdown rules then I'll take my chances. But even if he hadn't, I would have returned.

I am just back at work as well. I couldn’t  afford to be off any longer than the two months. As I’m not entitled to the self-employment help due to working in a limited capacity the past couple of years meaning I didn’t have much profits. This also used up my savings

I am only working enough to cover costs. I’ve taken off some services and put extra precautions in place. Obviously I know there is still some risk but I don’t have much choice.

I can’t see this information on any UK goverment site?

Not certain exactly what guidance the directory I refer to is drawing from, but the UK guidance issued on 13 May included the list referred to as exceptions to the general rule that general retail should remain closed - google w.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance

So the directory was quite correct, albeit slightly misleading when it says "can open from today" - the change in guidance was in the first relaxation of the lockdown restrictions almost two weeks ago.  The directory was also correct in saying that "massage parlours" were specifically excluded from the relaxation in restrictions, but there is no explanation for the distinction between hands-on osteopathy services and hands-on massage services.

I'm not a lawyer but I think there is a good case, as the directory says, for interpreting the guidance in favour of me being able to offer massages once again, though obviously I would also need to demonstrate what practical precautions I had taken to minimise the risk of infection to myself and my clients.

Thanks for that.  I may keep my full services on after all as I know I will have v limited availability so my chances of catching anything are extremely low.

I will definitely insist on using handgel upon arrival and have 4 bottles dotted about the house.  Also a shower prior to beginning the meet.  These are must dos no matter what.

They say 1 in 400 people has the virus don't they.  So we have 1 in 400 chance of catching it.  And I don't even see 400 clients in 3 years .....!  As I curently have very limited availability and am lucky enough to enjoy v low overheads.

I’d like to just offer massage and hand relief for a little while and have clients and myself wear a mask! I don’t know how much business I’d get doing all that though!
I mean, I’d still offer full service if we both wore a mask too.. maybe I could pretend it’s part of a kink/role play thing.. haha

I have no idea. Who are "they" ?

I don't know either, but my mother seems to get a lot of her information from 'them' too .

You do realise that a '1 in 400' figure doesn't mean that (assuming you haven't had it already) you can see 399 and then stop, LB? It could be the first person through the door or none of them at all - that's not how it works.