Dubai spas and massage services to restart: what’s allowed and what’s not

Strict cleaning protocols will be in place, while certain treatments are still banned for now

Spas in Dubai have been allowed to resume services starting July 4. Unsplash

Spas and massage salons in Dubai have received the green light to resume services.

A new circular issued by the Government of Dubai and Dubai Economy announced that spas and massage services were allowed to open once again  as of Saturday, as long as they adhere to strict precautionary measures.

According to the circular, spa and massage centres inside hotels and malls, and grade A and B salons outside malls, are now allowed to resume all services, with the exception of steam rooms, saunas, inhalation rooms, ice rooms, Jacuzzis, hot baths and hammams.

That means treatments that are allowed at the moment include massages, scrubs and facials.

For the time being, treatments can be done on an appointment-only basis, and spas have to ensure appointments are scheduled to allow time for cleaning and disinfecting between services.

The circular specifies that creams and scrubs have to be applied using disposable wooden sticks. Staff and visitors should wear face masks at all times and are encouraged to wear gloves. Therapists must adhere to strict hand-washing routines between clients. If used, gloves must be changed between clients, while two metres of social distancing between visitors must be enforced.

Shared amenity kits in changing areas must be removed and replaced by individually wrapped amenity kits placed in lockers. Food and drinks must be served in disposable containers, and self-service water dispensers must be replaced by sealed water bottles or machine dispensers.

Disposable bed covers must also be used and changed between clients, with bins made available at entrances and common areas. The face cushion on massage beds needs to be cleaned and disinfected between uses, and the cover changed after every client.

Spas also have to hold a thorough disinfection programme before reopening, while equipment (such as hot stones and roller massage sticks) must be cleaned after each use.

Home salon services also resuming

According to another circular distributed by Dubai Municipality, at-home salon services were also allowed to commence from Saturday, July 4.

Massages and spa services can only be conducted by grade A and B spas, salons and barbershops, while equipment must be disinfected after each use.

Staff must wear masks, face shields, gloves and suitable uniforms during procedures, while visitors have to wear face masks.

There must be an increase in the frequency of cleaning and disinfection, with the therapist’s tools, bag and clothes needing to be disinfected before entering a client's home. Shoes need to be left outside, with disposable shoes only allowed indoors.

Staff older than 60 or anyone with chronic diseases should not provide home-care services.