Thai masseuses may soon get back to work but only ‘below the belt’

Photo: Jewell Willett
Photo: Jewell Willett

Those hoping their favorite masseuse could help with a tight shoulder or stiff back may be out of luck for awhile. Those whose pain lies below the belt could soon be finding gratification again.

The Public Health Ministry said yesterday that it will ask the COVID-19 task force to allow massage parlors to reopen but only – prepare to grin or smirk – to treat “organs” that are “below the waist.”

After talking with a group of massage parlor operators who urged the authorities to reopen their venues as soon as possible due to economic pain, Thares Karassanairawiwong, director of Health Service Support Department, said his team has come up with the idea to initially allow massages of the lower body, from the waist.

Massages to the upper body, such as the neck, shoulders and back, must wait since it could pose a higher risk of spreading COVID-19, Thares said.

However, the idea will be left to the task force to decide. On Sunday, the task force allowed venues such as shopping malls, gyms, beauty clinics and public swimming pools to reopen, with restrictions. 

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