Airbnb offers free frontline stays for COVID-19 responders

TORONTO, ON., April 30, 2020 – Yesterday Airbnb announced that hosts are offering healthcare staff and first responders free places to stay that allow them to be close to their patients—and safely distanced from their own families.

This program is only for those who need to self-isolate from family and roommates, or get closer to where they work. Frontline stays are specially prepared for COVID-19 responders.

According to the short-term rental company they want every dollar to support responders and their hosts, so they have partnered with SEIU Healthcare,to provide free stays for GTA members battling COVID-19 on the frontlines.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has put up $500,000 USD of his own money to pay for the stays.

Hosts in this program have agreed to follow an extensive cleaning and disinfecting checklist, before and after each stay.

“Hosts across Canada have opened their doors and offered places to stay for frontline responders, we’re grateful for their generosity and commitment to help,” said Chesky in a statement. “We’re also thankful for the leadership of SEIU Healthcare and Greater Toronto Area mayors – who were instrumental in working with us to help fill this important need.”

You’ll be able to browse different options and find a place that’s right for you. When you book a frontline stay, Airbnb will waive service fees up to the first 100K bookings by first responders.

The company has developed a new cleaning protocol for hosts, with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and in partnership with leading experts in hospitality and medical hygiene. They say they want to make sure hosts feel comfortable hosting COVID-19 responders in your place. Their extensive cleaning checklist provides advice on everything from disinfecting to stocking the right supplies.

The CDC also recommends that people wait 24 hours before entering a space occupied by a person who may have been exposed to the coronavirus. Additionally, hosts who are partnering in the Frontline Stays program are required to wait 72 hours between reservations—this includes the 24-hour waiting period, time to properly clean and disinfect all areas accessible to the guest, and an additional buffer.

For those Airbnb hosts interested in offering their units to health care workers can register online. For frontline repsponders looking to book a stay are asked to register online.