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.

1. 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.

1. 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/