COVID-19: EDMC panel approves new guidelines for spas, massage centers
The standing committee of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation on Thursday approved new guidelines proposed by the civic body for the operation of spas and massage centres, including a ban on cross-gender massage.
East Delhi Mayor Shyam Sundar Agarwal gave advance approval to the new policy in late September. The proposal was cleared by the EDMC panel on Thursday, which will now go to the EDMC House for final approval, officials said.
The new guidelines for operation of spas and massage centers will be applicable to all such facilities running under its jurisdiction.
As per the new guidelines proposed by the civic body earlier, cross-gender massage will not be allowed at spas and massage centers and services will not be provided behind closed doors.
As per the new policy, the service rooms of spas and massage centers will not have locks or bolts from inside the doors and such establishments can operate only from 9 am to 9 pm.
Self closing doors will be provided in the rooms of these centres. It added that exterior doors would also be kept open during working hours. The policy of the BJP-led EDMC also includes the right to professional certification by the persons serving the customers.
Mayor Agarwal had earlier said, “As per this new spa policy, only one male (massager) can offer massage service to male clients, and only one female (massager)) can offer massage to female clients. can do.”
Recently, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approved new strict guidelines for the operation of spas and massage centers, including a ban on cross-gender massage, to prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking in the national capital. Is.
Also, it will be mandatory that as per the new guidelines proposed by EDMC, the details of all the customers including their contact details, phone numbers and ID proofs are kept in a proper register.
Spas and massage centers will have separate changing rooms for men and women, and the premises cannot be used for residential purposes.
The panel also approved a proposal to open milk booths or kiosks in its parks to help with the maintenance of the parks. Further, the policy of allowing the use of open air spaces and terraces adjacent to licensed eateries as service areas, subject to a number of conditions, had been put on hold by the panel, officials said.
The policy was introduced in mid-September with advance approval of the authorities.
Officials said the proposal to outsource the management and maintenance of the Ambedkar Sports Complex in Trilokpuri for an initial period of five years, which had also received advance approval two weeks ago, was sent back to the executive wing of the civic body.
EDMC standing committee chairman Bir Singh Panwar had earlier said that under the new guidelines, a masseur or masseur would be required to have a degree or diploma or certificate in physiotherapy, acupressure or occupational therapy.
No person can be engaged in this work without a degree or diploma. He had said that all employees must be wearing an ID card issued by the employer and must be at least 18 years of age.
Panwar had said that they were required to get police verification done by their respective employers.
The civic body has said that the EDMC will have to obtain police verification and premises verification of the owner or manager of a spa or massage center before issuing a health business license.
The name, license number, license details, working hours of each center shall be prominently displayed on the premises or building.
Panwar had said that if any spa or massage center is found indulging in any activity related to prostitution, then legal action will be taken under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
In addition, CCTV cameras with recording facilities will be installed at the entrance, reception and common areas and the footage will be retained for at least three months, he had said.
Panwar had said that in case of any violation of the guidelines, necessary action would be taken by the corporation officials.
The EDMC panel, during its meeting, also resolved that to remove dark spots, 50 street lights should be installed in each of its 64 wards with lampposts as the old one is either not working, or the new one is waiting.
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