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| Airbnb hosts defy lockdown laws with 'Covid-19 retreats' | Airbnb hosts defy lockdown laws with 'Covid-19 retreats' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Airbnb hosts advertising properties as coronavirus hideouts are "dangerous and irresponsible", the government says. | Airbnb hosts advertising properties as coronavirus hideouts are "dangerous and irresponsible", the government says. |
| Owners have listed homes as being "Covid-19 retreats" and "perfect for isolating with family" in the British countryside. | Owners have listed homes as being "Covid-19 retreats" and "perfect for isolating with family" in the British countryside. |
| New coronavirus laws say holiday accommodation should be provided only to keyworkers needing to self-isolate. | New coronavirus laws say holiday accommodation should be provided only to keyworkers needing to self-isolate. |
| But some listings on the site allow instant booking of rentals without any vetting, BBC News discovered. | But some listings on the site allow instant booking of rentals without any vetting, BBC News discovered. |
| The properties advertised as places to self-isolate include an "idyllic cottage", a houseboat and even a castle. | The properties advertised as places to self-isolate include an "idyllic cottage", a houseboat and even a castle. |
| Only one Airbnb host contacted by BBC News said their rental was available solely to keyworkers. | Only one Airbnb host contacted by BBC News said their rental was available solely to keyworkers. |
| But others complained the lockdown had disrupted their business. | But others complained the lockdown had disrupted their business. |
| In response to the BBC News's findings, Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "Our advice is clear. | In response to the BBC News's findings, Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "Our advice is clear. |
| "Essential travel does not include holidays, leisure travel and visits to second homes - and people must remain in their primary residence. | "Essential travel does not include holidays, leisure travel and visits to second homes - and people must remain in their primary residence. |
| “It is incredibly irresponsible, and dangerous for some property owners to be marketing themselves as ‘isolation retreats’. | “It is incredibly irresponsible, and dangerous for some property owners to be marketing themselves as ‘isolation retreats’. |
| "We are writing to companies today to remind them of their responsibilities at this time." | "We are writing to companies today to remind them of their responsibilities at this time." |
| Individuals and businesses could face fines of up to £960 for breaking these rules, the government added. | Individuals and businesses could face fines of up to £960 for breaking these rules, the government added. |
| Lost income | Lost income |
| An Airbnb spokesperson said: "We want hosts and guests to follow the rules and we have no tolerance for listings that ignore health or travel advisories." | |
| "The government has set out clear guidance on the limited conditions under which necessary travel is permitted and we have taken a number of steps to support these measures, including blocking private room bookings and switching off our 'instant book' function for whole properties. | |
| "Hosts in the UK are also opening their homes to NHS and other healthcare providers as part of a global initiative that has seen more than 100,000 places to stay made available so far." | |
| Last month, Airbnb announced a worldwide extension to its “extenuating circumstances” policy, stating all guests booked for check-ins between 14 March and 31 May would be eligible for full-refund cancellations. | Last month, Airbnb announced a worldwide extension to its “extenuating circumstances” policy, stating all guests booked for check-ins between 14 March and 31 May would be eligible for full-refund cancellations. |
| In a message on its website, the company acknowledged the decision to offer guests a refund had caused hardship for many hosts and it would pay £200m to help cover the cost of these cancellations. | In a message on its website, the company acknowledged the decision to offer guests a refund had caused hardship for many hosts and it would pay £200m to help cover the cost of these cancellations. |
| But one Airbnb host told BBC News they had received no clear instructions from the platform to say they were not allowed to take reservations. | But one Airbnb host told BBC News they had received no clear instructions from the platform to say they were not allowed to take reservations. |