New ISPA guidance for spas

The International SPA Association (ISPA) has created a Spa Reopening Toolkit. It provides spa professionals with the guidance and resources needed to safely reopen their spas when their government entities allow them to do so.

The toolkit includes:

  • A guide for spas as they develop their custom reopening strategy.
  • A set of communications templates to assist with marketing.
  • An overview of the necessary sanitation and hygiene standards that will need to be considered prior to reopening.
  • Templates that spas can use to display messaging relating to sanitation, distance requirements, etc.

ISPA notes that these resources do not supersede any laws under which a spa operates in their country.

The aim is to help the global spa industry emerge from this crisis as a strong force. The spa world will work collectively to rejuvenate their businesses while helping consumers who need to reduce stress, invest in their overall health and strengthen their mental wellbeing.

Lynne McNees of ISPA has said: “Consumers need access to spas now more than ever due to the stressors generated from dealing with a pandemic. The spa industry is committed to closely following the reopening guidelines established by various governing bodies across the globe and working to reintroduce spas back to the consumer in the safest manner possible.”

During the initial reopening phase, some of the changes spa-goers may experience when visiting the spa include:

  • More restrictions in communal and fitness spaces due to social distancing requirements.
  • Reduced capacity within the spa.
  • Required commitment from guests to not visit the spa if they have a fever or have been exposed to COVID-19.
  • Additional PPE worn by service providers, dependent upon the treatment.
  • Visible signage highlighting sanitation and hygiene standards, and touchless payment and check-in options.