Two years into this pandemic, there has been a lot of progress, but it’s clear that we will be living with waves of covid for some time to come. As always, we are following guidance from the CDC and other sources, which means that our policies will continue to be responsive to the level of community spread as well as the specific risks of variants as they emerge. We take a cautious approach to protect the many immunocompromised staff and clients we serve.

As a general rule of thumb, if Austin is in Stage 4 or higher, we will continue to require masking of everyone throughout their visit, regardless of vaccination status. When things are better and Austin goes to Stage 3 or below, we will evaluate which of our policies may be safely loosened again. In some cases, our policies might change slightly before or after the city policies or CDC recommendations; we are considering multiple sources and indicators. If you are interested in the models we are using, we found this source particularly helpful.

If masking is an important factor to you, please reach out to verify our current policies. We also include this information in our confirmation emails.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Update as of September 5, 2022: Our current masking requirements vary by therapist. Most therapists now allow unmasking during session, but if your therapist is at risk, you may still be required to wear a mask for the duration of your visit even if you are vaccinated. If this is a critical factor to you, please let us know at booking so that we can match you with a lower-risk therapist. Likewise, most teachers do not require masks during class, but certain classes may require it, so please check in the class description before registering.

Therapists who wish to unmask during session may only do so only if you authorize it with the front desk. We will note your preference on your file, so please update us if you wish to change your preference in future.

Masks are still required in common areas out of concern for our high-risk clients and staff. Please come prepared with a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth. If you have traveled or attended a large gathering within the last week, or if you have any respiratory symptoms where contagion has already been ruled out, (eg allergies or a lingering cough after recovery) we ask that you remain masked during your session as a precaution.

With vaccination rates increasing and testing positivity rates currently at 2.2%, things are looking up in Austin! We are still playing it safe, but in recognition of the recent CDC guidelines and the growing evidence that vaccination is effective in preventing both infection and transmission of Covid-19, we are making a few changes to our protocols for those who have been vaccinated. 

• Masks are still required in common areas. Please come prepared with a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth, and check in at the front desk for a brief temperature check.
• Our front door and lobby are now open. You no longer need to text us at arrival and you are welcome to browse our retail selection or relax in our waiting area before session.
• HEPA filters will still be running in all treatment rooms.
• Fully vaccinated clients (with documentation) may remove masks in treatment rooms at their therapists’ discretion. If your therapist is not vaccinated, immunocompromised, or otherwise at risk, you will still be required to wear a mask for the duration of your visit even if you are vaccinated. If this is a critical factor to you, please let us know at booking so that we can match you with a fully vaccinated therapist.
• Fully vaccinated students (with documentation) may remove masks in classrooms, unless the teacher or another student is immunocompromised or otherwise at risk. If masking is a critical factor for you, please let us know when registering.  
• Immunocompromised individuals are strongly urged to continue masking even if you have been vaccinated, as data suggests the vaccine is less effective for you.
• Those who are not fully vaccinated or who have not shared their vaccination card are required to continue masking during their entire visit.
• There is absolutely no obligation to share your vaccination status with us in order to receive services! Our policy changes only affect those who opt in to sharing their status.
• You can upload your vaccination card here: https://myoaustin.com/forms/covid-19-vax-status/
• According to our policy, “fully vaccinated” means that it has been at least 2 weeks since your final vaccination dose.

   Thank you for your patience during this year of transitions! Please get in touch with any questions or feedback.

Dear Myo Community,

We have missed you so much, and we are excited to finally announce our Stage 1 re-opening starting June 1!

In Stage 1, we will be offering a limited schedule of 1-on-1 services, including massage and acupuncture. For now, our classes will remain online, but please stay tuned for updates. For the protection of both clients and staff, we will have numerous new policies and procedures in place. We appreciate your cooperation to make things as safe as possible for everyone.

Massage establishments in Texas were permitted to re-open starting May 18th. We chose to wait so that we could thoroughly review the available guidance and information and ensure that our protocols and policies were fully implemented. We did not make the decision of whether and when to reopen lightly. Our staged re-opening plan is based on guidance from state and local officials, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, the CDC, and other experts in the health field, and we are meeting or exceeding the recommended guidelines. But given the high incidence of pre-symptomatic contagion, transmission via respiratory droplets produced from normal talking and breathing, and the close contact necessary to provide massage, nothing short of an effective treatment or vaccine will make it possible to get back to “normal”. For some of our therapists, this means they won’t be returning to work for a long time, if at all. But for others, the benefits of providing care and pain relief outweigh the risks. We are supporting therapists in the choice that makes the most sense for them, while doing everything we can to minimize risk every step of the way.

We ask that you prepare for your visit with the same care and consideration as you would before visiting a cherished grandparent: the next client your therapist sees may well be one! Please take the time to review the new guidelines and protocols you can expect on your next visit.

Before Your Appointment

• If you have any sign of illness, or if you have had close contact with anyone showing symptoms of Covid-19 in the last 2 weeks, we will not be able to work with you. We are happy to reschedule you; please let us know with as much notice as possible.
• If you have not been able to practice proper distancing for at least two weeks, or have engaged in any behavior that puts you at high risk for contact, please delay scheduling your appointment.
• All necessary paperwork, including a Covid-19 release form and intake forms, must be filled out in advance.
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to accommodate our new screening procedures and limited capacity in our lobby. If you arrive late, or if you haven’t completed paperwork in advance, your session will be shortened accordingly.
• Please bring your own water if needed, but otherwise leave unnecessary belongings in your car. If you need special accommodations in terms of positioning or equipment (eg bolstering) please contact us in advance so that we can prepare.

When you Arrive

• Please text us from your car to let us know you are parked. We will call you as soon as we are ready for you to come in.
• A properly fitted mask must be worn over your nose and mouth for the duration of your visit. Masks will be available for rent if you don’t bring one.
• When it’s your turn, we will unlock the door for you, check your temperature and ask a few screening questions.
• Sanitize your hands when you arrive, and before and after touching any surfaces.
• In order to ensure proper social distancing and disinfection, our waiting area and some of our amenities are not available at this time. After you check in, your therapist will meet you in the lobby.
• During your visit, we ask that you keep conversation to a minimum to avoid unnecessary respiratory droplets in the air. If you have complex concerns that require extensive discussion, please contact us in advance so that we can arrange a call with your therapist.
• We would be happy to assist you with any retail purchases, but we ask that you do not touch anything in our retail area.
• Payment will be entirely contactless; we recommend prepayment, or if you prefer we will verify your billing details prior to your appointment and charge it while you are in session. You can specify any gratuity amounts before or after your appointment via text.
• We would be happy to book your next appointment by phone, text, or using our online booking system.

What we are doing

• Temperature and symptom screening of all staff at arrival.
• All staff will be wearing masks at all times.
• Air purifiers with HEPA filters in each treatment room to remove 99.7% of airborne particles.
• Each treatment room is thoroughly sanitized between each client. We have added extra time between appointments to ensure that we can carefully complete all sanitization steps and allow the air to fully circulate.
• All high touch surfaces are sanitized frequently (after each use wherever possible) with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol disinfectant.
• Hand sanitizer is available through space for clients and staff.
• Minimized contact at check in and check out.

Please let us know if you have questions or concerns. Please note that in order to adhere to safety protocols, things may take a bit longer than before, and certain services and therapists will not be available. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience with our team. We can’t wait to (very carefully) get back to helping you feel better!

Thank you,
Catherine & Levi
Myo Founders