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Sex Work
COVID-19:
Guidlines for Sex Workers,
Clients, Third Parties, and Allies
From Butterfly Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network and
Maggie's Toronto Sex Workers Action Project
Contents
1. COVID-19 Transmission

2. General Protective Measures

3. Symptoms of COVID-19

4. Protective Guidelines
For Sex Workers
For Clients
For Third Parties
For Allies

5. Community Resources
*Please note, this document is intended as general information
and does not replace advice from health care officials.*
COVID-19
The COVID-19 outbreak has created a lot of stress and panic, but sex
workers are and always have been resourceful and resilient.

We are experts in keeping ourselves and our communities safe.

We’ve been doing it for decades! We would like to share our wisdom
and learn from each other on how to overcome this current
challenge.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed many sex workers in a

particularly difficult situation. Like other precarious workers, sex
workers generally cannot access labour protections such as paid sick
leave and unemployment insurance. Many of us are experiencing loss
of income due to appointment cancellations, decreased demand for
services, workplace closures, and sickness. Since sex industry jobs do
not offer a salary, sick days, or benefits, there is little to no safety net
for sex workers when we are unable to work.

While social distancing is strongly advised, it is particularly

challenging for contact sex workers (full service workers, strippers,
massage workers, professional dominants, etc), queer and trans sex
workers, Black and Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC) workers at
the margins, and otherwise low-income workers to adhere to these
recommendations. This is because the loss of income that would result
from such social distancing measures prevents them from working,
and makes the difference between affording basic needs such as
food, medicine, childcare, rent, etc.
Sex Work
We recognize that many sex workers will need to go about their
business as usual.

That is the reality of surviving in a capitalist society while enduring

criminalization and stigmatization. In-person sex work should be a
last resort at this time, and those who can refrain from in-person
sex working should do so immediately.

We recommend alternative service arrangements such as Skype,

phone or text sessions, if possible. But we also recognize that these
options are not feasible for all sex workers, due to privacy and
safety concerns, and inaccessibility to specific resources and
technology.

This document follows a harm reduction approach, offering

guidelines from various sources to help lower the risk of contact and
transmission to those who must continue in-person sex working.

Knowing that each sex worker’s work is unique, we encourage each

of our community members to know how transmission occurs, how
that fits with your individual work, and what decisions can be made
for your specific situation to reduce as many risks as possible for
yourself and others.

We have also included guidelines for clients, third parties, allies, and
healthcare providers on how to best support sex workers during
this time.
Supporters
If you are a supporter of sex workers and are currently not
experiencing financial insecurity, or if you are sex worker experiencing
an increase in business because of the COVID-19 outbreak, please
consider making donations of money, time, or resources to individual
sex workers and to community groups who work directly with these
communities.
COVID-19
Transmission
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is
an infectious disease caused by severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus. The disease
was first identified in 2019 and has spread
&
globally, resulting in the 2019–20 coronavirus
pandemic- a disease epidemic that has spread
across a large region, multiple continents, or
worldwide.

COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets

produced when a sick person sneezes or coughs.
The droplets can land on people and surfaces, and
consequently threaten infection.

There is an asymptomatic period in which someone

who has the virus can spread that
virus to others without realizing that they are
infected. The earlier the precautions are
taken, the more precautions are taken,
the more lives are saved.

Learn more about COVID-19:

Flatten The Curve (Backgrounder)
World Health Organization
Protective
Measures
Avoid touching your face.
Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose
or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make
you sick.

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory
hygiene.
This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or
tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue
immediately.

Wash your hands

Do this frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
because it’s one of the best ways to kill germs on your hands and
prevent the spread of germs to others.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a

regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Practice social distancing.

This includes: Staying home if you feel you may be sick. You can
order food and supplies to have them dropped off in front of your
door to avoid contact.
 Protective
Measures
Keep a distance of at least 3 feet (1m) from someone who is coughing or
sneezing.

Maintain good mental health.

Keeping calm in whatever ways are personally effective (especially
if you are living with children or anyone at high risk of contracting
the virus).
Setting specific times, such as once in morning and once in evening,
for keeping up with news and other pertinent information about the
virus. This will help to avoid feeling overwhelmed with information
while remaining informed.

Continue to access trusted information sources for up to date information

and instructions.

Maintain good physical health.

Eat well, incorporating a wide variety of vegetables, lean proteins,
complex carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fats, and probiotic foods
such as unsweetened yogurt.
Continue to be physically active. This is a key element for physically
and mentally coping with feelings of anxiety and panic, as well as
boosting your immune system.
If you are at home, you can access all types of exercise regimens
online, or video call to do some activities with friends and family.
COVID-19
Symptoms
Those who are infected with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms.
You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are
similar to a cold or flu and typically show up between 2 and 14 days after
you’ve been exposed to the virus.

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Fatigue

People who are considered high risk include those with underlying health
conditions, including heart disease, lung disease such as asthma/COPD,
diabetes, or HIV, or people who are immunocompromised, or over age 60.

If you are ill and must visit a health care professional, call ahead or tell
them when you arrive that you have a respiratory illness. You may be
asked to wear a mask while waiting for or receiving treatment to prevent
the spread of the illness.

If you have travelled abroad and you develop fever, cough or difficulty
breathing in the next 14 days: isolate yourself within the home as quickly
as possible and call your health care provider.

Source: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

When To Get
Tested For
COVID-19
Who Should Visit An Assessment Centre?
People with mild symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection:
cough sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose,
and joint aches

May also exeperience nausea, diarrhea and stomach pains) and

any of the following:
Fever of 38°C or higher
Underlying health condition(s) of concern.
cardiovascular disease,
chronic lung disease,
cerebrovascular disease (e.g. previous stroke),
hypertension, diabetes, cancer, immunosuppression, c
urrent smoking

Age 60 years or older

Symptomatic patients should self-isolate while waiting to reach

Telehealth Ontario or seeking medical attention.
Where To Get
Tested For
COVID-19
To rapidly expand screening and ease pressures on hospital emergency
departments, a number of dedicated assessment centres have been
established across Toronto.

Locate your nearest COVID-19 Assessment Centre here.

Unsure? Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000

Toronto Public Health Hotline

8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Telephone 416-338-7600
TTY: 416-392-0658
Email: PublicHealth@toronto.ca

311 Toronto
Outside City limits: 416-392-2489
Call if you have questions about City services.
Telephone: 311
TTY: 416-338-0889

Emergency Services
Call if you’re having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe
symptoms.
 OHIP coverage is
not required to be
seen at a COVID-19
Assessment Centre.

The assessment is
provided at no cost
to the individual.
Protective
Guidelines:
For Sex Workers
Sex Work
COVID-19 &
If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or have travelled outside
of the country, stay home and call your healthcare provider for
medical advice.

Refrain from hugging or kissing colleagues.

If possible, decline clients who: have cold symptoms or have been
exposed to anyone with symptoms, have had exposure to anyone
who has tested positive, are from outside of Canada, or who have
recently travelled.

Always wash your hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer: in

between each client, whenever you come in from outside or change
locations, and after handling money.

Require clients to thoroughly wash their hands and face with soap
before contact. If there is no regular access to facilities with soap and
water, carry hand sanitizer and require clients to use it.

Keep tissues on hand that can be provided if the client is sneezing or

coughing. Avoid making contact with the tissues, and ensure they are
disposed of promptly.
If you make contact with any tissues, wash your hands
immediately.
Sex Work
COVID-19 &
Wherever possible, avoid kissing, saliva exchange, mouth contact on
skin, as well as putting objects in your mouth (including your fingers)
that have touched the client.

Instead of kissing and direct contact, consider offering alternative

services such as erotic massage, and strip-tease, and opt for
sexual positions that minimize face-to-face contact (e.g doggy
style, cow girl/person).

Avoid direct contact with bodily fluids.

Use condoms, dental dams, and gloves.

After appointments, disinfect work surfaces and any materials that

were used.

If possible, do not share dishes or cutlery with others.

If this can’t be avoided, wash thoroughly with soap and hot
water using a paper towel that’s disposed of afterwards.

Consider minimizing all nonessential international travel.

If possible screen clients who have been travelling to affected
areas.
Protective
Guidelines:
For Clients
Clients
COVID-19 &
Know that sex workers are already experts in keeping sanitary work
spaces and practicising safe contact, and have been keeping
themselves safe for decades during flu seasons. Their livelihood
depends on this.

If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or have travelled outside

of the country, do not meet with sex workers. Stay home and call your
healthcare provider for medical advice.

Send money to your service-provider instead of meeting in-person.

You may wish to ask if alternative arrangements are possible such as
Skype, phone, or text sessions. However, be understanding that this
may not be feasible for a variety of reasons.

If experiencing no symptoms, and meeting with sex workers, respect

and adhere to their boundaries as usual, which in this case may include
additional precautions around cleanliness and physical contact.

Do not be predatory.
Do not offer more money, or make repeated requests to coerce a
sex worker into providing risky services. If a sex worker says “no
french kissing” then that’s final (as should always be the case!)
Clients
COVID-19
Practice good hygiene.
&
Take the initiative in washing your hands and face thoroughly
upon meeting with your service provider. If facilities allow, take
a shower.

Be open about your concerns and boundaries.

Take responsibility for the safety of the situation and practice good
respiratory hygiene throughout the meeting.
If you cough or sneeze, do so away from your service provider’s
body, and cover your mouth or nose with your elbow or a
tissue.

Tip generously.
Sex workers are experiencing major declines in business and
you may be their only customer for the forseeable future.

Be aware of your racism and stop discriminating against Asian

workers. Media outlets around the world have reported stories of
hostility and discrimination towards members of Asian communities.

Refrain from making comments and “jokes” that support

discrimination. Instead, book Asian workers, be respectful, and tip
generously!
Protective
Guidelines:
For Third Parties
Third Parties
COVID-19 &
Consider posting a sign outside the establishment (e.g., strip club,
massage parlour) indicating that in order to protect the health of
workers and the community, clients who are showing signs of
COVID-19 cannot enter the premises.

Consider including symptoms and questions about travel in the client

screening process.

Do not push people to work who have called in sick.

Waive shift cancellation fees.

Ensure workers don't feel pressured to work despite having
symptoms or feeling unsafe to do so.

Ensure work spaces are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

This should be standard practice, but prudence should be taken in
ensuring all surfaces workers and clients come into contact with
have been sanitized.
Protective
Guidelines:
For Allies
Allies
COVID-19 &
Do not shame sex workers for continuing their work as usual.
For many this is a matter of survival.

Check-in on the sex workers in your life.

This is an incredibly stressful time for workers, and having
someone to talk with can mean a lot.

If possible, offer resources to the sex workers in your life

e.g. safer sex supplies, sanitation supplies, food, money.
Donate to individual sex workers in your life.

Consider donating money to organizations that provide frontline

support to sex workers.

Due to stigma, sex workers face a lot of barriers in seeking health

services.
If a sex worker in your life is experiencing symptoms, ask
how you can support them.
This may involve being on the phone with them as they call
their doctor or local health clinic.
Additional
Community
Resources
 Resources
Alternative Income (camming and content creation):
Digital Sex Work Platform Information
COYOTE Sex Worker Harm Reduction Resources

Sex Worker Harm Reduction Hotline:

Stella, Montreal (514-285-8889)
Butterly (Asian & Migrant Sex Workers Support Network) Hotline
(416-906-3098)

General Hotlines:
Crisis Services Canada Suicide Helpline (1-833-456-4566)
Toronto Distress Centre (416-408-HELP (4357)

Financial Support:
Ontario Works
Applying for Employment Insurance
Ontario Disability Support
Glad Day Emergency Survival Fund
Black Creek Community Farm Fund
Emergency Fund for Toronto's Precarious Workers
Canadian Low-Income Artist/Musician Relief Fund
Black Emergency Support Fund from BLMTO
Donate
Apply
NABS financial assistance for media, marketing, and
communications pros
The AFC — Emergency financial aid for entertainment pros
North American Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQI+ BIPOC Folks
Butterfly
Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network
cswbutterfly@gmail.com
416-906-3098
Butterflysw.org

Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project

info@maggiesto.org
Maggiesto.org
@MaggiesTO