As the coronavirus spreads, Taiwan”s service sector is feeling the brunt of the economic shock. Customers are increasingly steering clear of spas, hair salons, and other businesses that require close human contact. In Taipei, one massage parlor chain has rolled out a raft of stringent health measures to reassure patrons. Let”s take a look. Massage parlors are stepping up public health measures to ensure clients and therapists are kept safe from coronavirus.Those who register a body temperature above 37 degrees are no longer allowed in. All patrons will have to sanitize their hands with alcohol. Before each session, massage therapists use disinfectant soap to make sure their hands are dirt-free and virus-free.MasseurI also take vitamins. Long nails are also not good in this profession, so we all trim them regularly. At this moment it’s something we pay special attention to.All members of staff wear face masks while at work. They err on the side of caution: Everything used by customers – be it foot baths, seats or towels – is sanitized after use. The entire space is disinfected twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.Member of the publicWhen you come in, they take your temperature and disinfect your hands. They also disinfect their hands before they begin the massage. I think they’re doing everything they can to ensure safety.Clients are served thyme flower tea, which according to traditional Chinese medicine can strengthen the body’s immune system. They are also given face masks.Chiang Ching-chungMassage parlor chain operatorWe had some in stock already. Since our launch, we have required our staff to wear face masks during massages. Our employees have to wait in line for their masks. But if our clients aren’t wearing a mask, we give them one for free.The message parlor goes through at least 300 masks every day. With only one week’s worth of masks left in reserve, the outbreak is becoming a real headache for businesses like this.
COVID-19