DESPERATE owners of spas and massage parlours across Bahrain have appealed for support as the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has pushed the industry to the brink of disaster.
The facilities, opened to promote wellbeing and relaxation, have been closed since March, and many fear they may have to shut down the businesses permanently as financial burdens mount with each passing day.
Several spas have been forced to sack employees, almost some say they are still paying salaries while also bearing operational costs.
The next burden will be covering the losses of expensive products with a limited shelf life.
“It has been more than eight months of no business whatsoever and obviously this just isn’t sustainable at all,” one spa owner, who has been in the business for more than a decade, told the GDN.
Spas and parlours offering complementary therapies were not included on a long list of businesses allowed to reopen in September.
“We are considered to be close-contact services and hence riskier in times of Covid-19,” he said under a request of anonymity.
The GDN earlier reported industry experts as saying that Bahrain’s hospitality, tourism and aviation sectors could face an estimated BD500 million loss by the year-end.
It comes as a result of the pandemic halting tourism activities and prompting a series of strict measures to limit the spread of the virus. Measures included the closure of King Fahad Causeway and the suspension of visa-on-arrival options.
Spa complexes are the marquee feature of many luxury hotels and their treatments — from facials and massages to peels and pedicures – are sought-after by tourists, visitors and, of course, residents.
“There are around 30 to 40 five-star spas in Bahrain, but as an industry there are thousands more providing the service in malls, salons and on commercial roads,” he said.
“The spa industry is bearing huge losses as this sector was among the first to close because of Covid-19.
“Salons have now reopened with limited services, whereas spas are still 100 per cent closed, while similar businesses like physiotherapy clinics are operating and are performing regular spa-like massages.”
Owners of spas and massage parlours who spoke to the GDN also claimed they had to fight legal battles in court due to liability and indemnity issues, while also bearing additional costs such as the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) fee and municipality levy.
The owners have appealed to the government to let them reopen their establishments. They say they could adhere to strict precautionary measures and as spas and massage parlours cater to one-on-one services and aren’t in crowded spaces there would be less risk of spreading the virus.
“We have always worn masks and used gloves and sanitisation systems so if we’re allowed to reopen we will extend that further and do more than is required,” another spa owner said.
Families who are stay-cationing in hotels in Bahrain, taking advantage of tempting promotions, have also expressed frustration at being unable to use spa services.
“We occasionally book beachfront hotels just to have ‘together time’ over the weekend as a family,” said Bahraini mother-of-two, Fatema Ebrahim.
“My husband goes to the beach with the children and I get some spa treatments done. However, that hasn’t been possible at all this year.
“I understand that these measures are necessary to protect all those involved during these unprecedented times we are living through but I’m sure there must be ways to provide safe services while adhering to government regulations.
“Five-star spas at hotels were always committed to delivering stringent health and hygiene practices even before Covid-19 broke out – so there should be a way to allow them to reopen while ensuring the safety of all.”
reem@gdn.com.bh
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