As the coronavirus outbreak continues to escalate around the globe, short-term home rental company Airbnb has rolled out new enhanced cleaning protocols. These policies, which were developed in partnership with experts in hospitality and medical hygiene, aim to reassure travelers and local authorities that their listings are safe from COVID-19.
The Airbnb Enhanced Cleaning Program
Hosts who want to continue hosting guests during this time must commit to a five-step process that includes cleaning and sanitizing properties in the wake of COVID-19. Hosts who don’t follow the protocol will be suspended or removed from the platform.
Guests can see which hosts are following the enhanced cleaning protocol by checking out their listings on the platform. Once a host has committed to the program, a highlight appears that reads “Committed to clean.”
This is an important safety measure that can help ease guest worries and ensure that their stay is as safe as possible. However, it’s also important for hosts to be honest and transparent about their cleaning standards and practices with their guests.
In addition to the enhanced cleaning program, hosts who want to continue renting out their properties can opt into a more relaxed tier called Booking Buffer, which requires a longer vacancy period between guests. That means that guests have to wait at least 24 hours before they can stay again, though it’s recommended to extend the timeframe to 72 hours.
This program has already been adopted by nearly 1.5 million Airbnb listings, which are now officially designated as safe for travelers to stay in. For those who want to take advantage of the Enhanced Cleaning Initiative, there are a number of options available, including booking cleaning services in Baton Rouge, LA.