We are a group of small family businesses in Ontario that specialize in the old cultural practice of saunas. We understand that safety is the top priority during the COVID19 pandemic, yet in the context of the stage 3 reopening plan, we feel marginalized, misunderstood, and ignored. We would like to make a case that it’s possible for saunas to open in a safe manner so that we may continue to provide a valuable service to our customers, provide numerous jobs, and continue to preserve our cultural heritage.
- A sauna is not simply something you find in a gym locker room. Saunas are a vital cultural staple for many peoples. Saunas have carved out their own niche in the Canadian economy. Many people rely on saunas for their health, well-being, community, and employment.
- Other provinces (including Quebec which was heavily affected by COVID19) have opened sauna businesses. They’ve adopted thorough safety measures and there has yet to be a single outbreak connected to a sauna. Saunas in Ontario are willing and determined to follow suit in these rigorous safety precautions.
There is a wealth of scientific evidence that saunas improve overall immunity to disease. There is also evidence that transmission of COVID19 is reduced in high temperatures. Additionally, there's data showing a connection between regular sauna use and significant improvement in mood for people suffering from depression and other mental health issues. This is notable since Canada is currently experiencing a spike in mental illness, and people need all resources available to them.
Below are the relevant studies:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7333574/#
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6422146/#
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16046381/
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/circ.126.suppl_21.a10868
All this considered, keeping saunas closed is counter-intuitive. Please sign the petition to encourage the fair and safe reopening of saunas in Ontario!
Here is a list of all the saunas that have been affected:
South Western Bathhouse and Tearoom http://banya.ca/
Steamul Sauna MIssissauga https://steamulsauna.ca/
Steamul Sauna Richmond Hill http://www.steamulsauna.com/
KWSauna https://kwsauna.com/
Vladimirskie Bani https://saunatoronto.ca/
Banya Richmond Hill http://banyarichmondhill.ca/
Russian Sauna in Windsor https://www.russiansauna.ca/
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 19, 2020
Reached 100 supporters
September 15, 2020
265 Comments
Saunas should be open. I don't understand how public health allows public swimming pools to be open indoor and outdoor during the summer when you're inhaling and touching the water everyone else is swimming in. What's the difference?
This is a small family business that has served its patrons with care for years. I fully trust their ability to remain open in a safe manner and they deserve to conduct their business!
We love this place and I'm sure booking a time slot would take care of any concerns anyone might have related to Covid. Plus, I consider this a healing therapy, your lungs will thank you.
Coming to Southwestern was not a luxury but a necessity for my overall health and wellbeing. It should be considered an essential service to keep immune systems healthy so the public can fight off the effects of COVID19.
Please allow this and other bath houses to reopen - it is a vital cultural staple to its community, and the owners care deeply about making it as safe as possible for their patrons during this challenging time.
It must be everyone having))
My mental health and wellness is being severely diminished due to my inability to access the sauna and steam room at my local health club. Please reopen.
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We are a group of small family businesses in Ontario that specialize in the old cultural practice of saunas. We understand that safety is the top priority during the COVID19 pandemic, yet in the context of the stage 3 reopening plan, we feel marginalized, misunderstood, and ignored. We would like to make a case that it’s possible for saunas to open in a safe manner so that we may continue to provide a valuable service to our customers, provide numerous jobs, and continue to preserve our cultural heritage.
- A sauna is not simply something you find in a gym locker room. Saunas are a vital cultural staple for many peoples. Saunas have carved out their own niche in the Canadian economy. Many people rely on saunas for their health, well-being, community, and employment.
- Other provinces (including Quebec which was heavily affected by COVID19) have opened sauna businesses. They’ve adopted thorough safety measures and there has yet to be a single outbreak connected to a sauna. Saunas in Ontario are willing and determined to follow suit in these rigorous safety precautions.
There is a wealth of scientific evidence that saunas improve overall immunity to disease. There is also evidence that transmission of COVID19 is reduced in high temperatures. Additionally, there's data showing a connection between regular sauna use and significant improvement in mood for people suffering from depression and other mental health issues. This is notable since Canada is currently experiencing a spike in mental illness, and people need all resources available to them.
Below are the relevant studies:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7333574/#
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6422146/#
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16046381/
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/circ.126.suppl_21.a10868
All this considered, keeping saunas closed is counter-intuitive. Please sign the petition to encourage the fair and safe reopening of saunas in Ontario!
Here is a list of all the saunas that have been affected:
South Western Bathhouse and Tearoom http://banya.ca/
Steamul Sauna MIssissauga https://steamulsauna.ca/
Steamul Sauna Richmond Hill http://www.steamulsauna.com/
KWSauna https://kwsauna.com/
Vladimirskie Bani https://saunatoronto.ca/
Banya Richmond Hill http://banyarichmondhill.ca/
Russian Sauna in Windsor https://www.russiansauna.ca/
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 19, 2020
Reached 100 supporters
September 15, 2020
265 Comments
The sauna / banya provides a health benefit and cultural hub for so many, that restricting their use, with no apparent data to support a connection between their use and COVID outbreaks, seems arbitrary and against the best interests of many Ontarians.
Saunas should be open. I don't understand how public health allows public swimming pools to be open indoor and outdoor during the summer when you're inhaling and touching the water everyone else is swimming in. What's the difference?
This is a small family business that has served its patrons with care for years. I fully trust their ability to remain open in a safe manner and they deserve to conduct their business!
We love this place and I'm sure booking a time slot would take care of any concerns anyone might have related to Covid. Plus, I consider this a healing therapy, your lungs will thank you.
Coming to Southwestern was not a luxury but a necessity for my overall health and wellbeing. It should be considered an essential service to keep immune systems healthy so the public can fight off the effects of COVID19.
Please allow this and other bath houses to reopen - it is a vital cultural staple to its community, and the owners care deeply about making it as safe as possible for their patrons during this challenging time.
It must be everyone having))
My mental health and wellness is being severely diminished due to my inability to access the sauna and steam room at my local health club. Please reopen.
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The sauna / banya provides a health benefit and cultural hub for so many, that restricting their use, with no apparent data to support a connection between their use and COVID outbreaks, seems arbitrary and against the best interests of many Ontarians.