AED 5000,<> fine for the presence of men in women's massage centers

Women's massage for men is prohibited. From the source

An official guide to health conditions for practicing massage, beauty and personal care activity, issued in 2017, prohibits the conduct of massage by women for men in massage centers, or the employment of men in women's massage centers, while the regulations for violations of commercial control issued by economic departments stipulate the imposition of a fine of 5000,<> dirhams, in the event that men are discovered working or present in women's fitness salons or clubs, or massage centers, and vice versa. The guide, which was issued at the time by local and federal authorities, stressed the need for the center to provide massage service either for men or women, as the workers in the center must be of the same sex as the customers.He added that if the center provides service to women and men, there must be a separate entrance for each of them, and a separation in working hours for women from men, and clearly fixed working hours on an advertisement for customers at the entrance to the center.

The guide pointed out the need to strictly prevent smoking inside massage centers, and to put a smoke-free sign in a clear place for customers, pointing out that massage centers are non-medical and should not provide any medical services to patients.

He stated that pregnant women should be clearly warned before receiving the massage service, while preventing workers from wearing jewelry and accessories during the massage process, or using unauthorized or expired preparations, and it is also forbidden to provide the service by a worker with wounds or skin infections.

The guide stressed the prohibition of the use of any advertising posters that contradict customs and traditions, and violate public modesty, in addition to preventing cupping inside massage centers, due to their classification among the popular therapeutic medical services centers, which need a license to practice, according to requirements that must be adhered to.

He said that it is necessary to commit not to provide therapeutic or surgical services, and not to receive any patients at the center, meaning that the services provided should be for healthy people, who ask for relaxation and rest.

It is forbidden to place cameras in massage parlors, except in cases where security approvals are issued, he said, and customers must be kept confidential and private.

The guide pointed to the need to provide tools and disinfectant materials to disinfect tools before and after use, while maintaining the cleanliness of the tools, keeping them in their own cabinet, providing an equipped first aid box, providing a sufficient number of towels, so that it is forbidden to use one towel more than once without washing it, and providing a disposable cover, to cover large massage beds and place them on top of them.

He added that the massage centers should have a hand wash surrounded by ceramics, equipped with liquid soap, and provide the facility with a water source from the main network, and appropriate sanitation.

He stressed the need to wash used towels, clean them constantly before repeated use, dispose of single-use tools, immediately after the completion of the service and safely, and proper disposal of waste, periodically and quickly, with attention to the cleanliness of the external environment of the facility.

The guide pointed out the need to ensure that there are no insects, rodents or what refers to them inside the massage center, and in the event of pesticides, they must be licensed by the competent authority.

- Prohibiting the placement of cameras in centers except in cases where security approvals are issued.