Airbnb is announcing a new global initiative to help connect those responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with safe and convenient places to stay while they carry out their critical work.

The company’s goal is to help house 100,000 healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders around the world. Airbnb will waive all fees for stays arranged through this initiative.

 

The Initiative Builds on Two Pilot Programs

This initiative builds on two pilot programs in Italy and France where Airbnb announced that doctors, nurses, caregivers and other medical support staff who are responding to the outbreak can access free accommodation through Airbnb.

The Airbnb community has already responded to the call: nearly 6,000 hosts across both Italy and France have already offered their homes.

To enable healthcare providers and other COVID-19 responders to find housing, Airbnb will be working with businesses, nonprofits and government & emergency management agencies supporting these responders.

Hosts can opt into the program and have the option of opening their homes for free through Airbnb’s Open Homes platform, created in 2012 to meet the needs of people requiring emergency housing. If hosts are not able to host for free, Airbnb will still waive all fees on the stay.

 

Accommodation For Relief and Medical Workers

Accommodation for relief and medical workers, who have higher exposition to COVID-19, requires robust preventive practices and stringent safety standards. Airbnb takes the health and safety of its community very seriously and has worked with leading experts and officials to develop a protocol for hosts who support this collective health effort.

The protocol will be updated to incorporate new requirements from local and national authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Examples of safe hosting recommendations include listing entire homes and agreeing to a number of safety requirements including enhanced cleaning, social distancing with their guests, and allowing 72 hours between stays.

Airbnb’s partners or affiliates will ensure that stays are COVID-19 related and responders are familiar with safety protocols.

To learn more and to open their homes, chick here.

 

Working with Leading Organizations 

Through this initiative, Airbnb will be working with leading organizations who have already deployed thousands of relief workers to help fight the pandemic.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are coordinating their network of millions of volunteers in 192 countries to respond to the outbreak.

The International Rescue Committee has launched coronavirus preparedness and response in over 40 countries, and International Medical Corps is working with its approximately 7,000 staff globally to provide medical supplies, training and triage and treatment services during the outbreak.

Airbnb has also launched a donation tool to help power even more stays for relief workers while they do their critical work. 100 percent of proceeds will go directly to nonprofits helping with COVID-19 relief efforts.

To donate, click here. For more information, please visit airbnb.com

 

 

---

More Travel News:

Sunwing and Hola Sun have introduced new flexible policies
Visit Florida from Home
Velas Resorts Magazine presents #bettertogether
Congress Reaches Agreement on Massive Coronavirus Relief Package