Airbnb announced new protocols Monday for cleaning and sanitizing its listed properties in an effort to reassure travelers and revive bookings for the home-sharing platform, which is reeling from the coronavirus pandemic.

The initiative set to launch in May calls for "enhanced procedures and guidance on how to clean every room in a home," and a certification program to identify properties meeting the new standards.

Airbnb said it was establishing the new safety policy based on guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other experts in the field, amid signs of an easing of anti-virus restrictions in some countries.

"As governments handle the health crisis and begin to review restrictions in advance of reopening their communities for travel, at Airbnb we are working hard to support our community and prepare for the future of travel, focused on health and prevention," the company said in a statement.

"The host cleaning protocol will include specific information on COVID-19 prevention, such as the use of personal protective equipment, like masks and gloves for hosts or their cleaners, as well as disinfectants that are approved by regulatory authorities."

The new standards will include a 24-hour waiting period between occupancies.

Hosts unable to meet the new protocol may instead opt for a "booking buffer" of 72 hours during which time no reservations will be allowed.

The tourism industry as a whole is taking a massive hit from the deadly global pandemic.

Airbnb, one of the pillars of the "sharing economy," has apparently shelved plans for a share offering this year, and raised $1 billion in new equity to ride out the crisis.

The San Francisco start-up has also agreed to reimburse hosts some $250 million for virus-related cancellations.

Airbnb said it hopes the new protocols will help contribute to a rebound in the troubled tourism sector.

"Although risk in travel can never be fully eliminated, and the science is still evolving, this initiative is designed to support and protect our stakeholders," the company said.

"Guests will be able to search for and easily identify Airbnb listings that meet their needs and expectations and are part of the program. Hosts will have access to expert-backed cleaning educational materials and will be supported to show that they take cleanliness and prevention seriously."

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
A world of storm and tempest
When the Earth Quakes

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

How millions of Favela dwellers abandoned by Brazilian Govt scramble to survive pandemic
Rio de Janeiro. Brazil (Sputnik) Apr 22, 2020
Brazil's crowded favelas, home to millions of low and middle-income dwellers, have been left to solve the COVID-19 crisis on their own while the federal government has become bogged down in internal political clashes and left incapable of adequately handling the pandemic, say Brazilian observers. Although the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has exceeded 38,000, with over 2,400 dead, and continues to rise in Brazil, the country's President Jair Bolsonaro has doubled down on protesting against th ... read more