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| Coronavirus: Airbnb restricts UK bookings to coronavirus key workers | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Home rental firm Airbnb is to temporarily restrict UK bookings to key workers and “essential stays” because of the coronavirus crisis. | |
| The firm said that the measure would last until at least 18 April. | The firm said that the measure would last until at least 18 April. |
| Key workers - such as NHS and social care staff, and transport and food retail employees - can still book through a programme called Frontline Stays. | |
| The decision comes after the government criticised opportunistic hosts. | The decision comes after the government criticised opportunistic hosts. |
| The BBC had reported on Monday that some listings were letting customers use the “instant book” function without requiring them to be vetted. | The BBC had reported on Monday that some listings were letting customers use the “instant book” function without requiring them to be vetted. |
| At the time, some owners were describing their properties as being "Covid-19 retreats" and "perfect for isolating with family" on the site. | At the time, some owners were describing their properties as being "Covid-19 retreats" and "perfect for isolating with family" on the site. |
| Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston described this as being "irresponsible and dangerous". | Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston described this as being "irresponsible and dangerous". |
| A BBC London investigation subsequently found hundreds of properties - some within shared accommodation - were being marketed in the capital to tourists for the coming Easter bank holiday weekend. | A BBC London investigation subsequently found hundreds of properties - some within shared accommodation - were being marketed in the capital to tourists for the coming Easter bank holiday weekend. |
| Using a regular account, the BBC questioned some of the landlords to check the bookings were still available. | Using a regular account, the BBC questioned some of the landlords to check the bookings were still available. |
| "Yes, it's a shared accommodation with me and my two daughters, you can have the room," one replied. | "Yes, it's a shared accommodation with me and my two daughters, you can have the room," one replied. |
| Another said: "You will have your private room but with shared bathroom. Toilet and shower is shared with seven other rooms on the same floor." | Another said: "You will have your private room but with shared bathroom. Toilet and shower is shared with seven other rooms on the same floor." |
| Neither property owner asked if the booking was for a key worker. | |
| Airbnb said it would take action in response to the findings. | Airbnb said it would take action in response to the findings. |
| Essential travel | Essential travel |
| The Frontline Stays programme is designed to provide up to 100,000 healthcare staff and first-responders with accommodation close to their patients and a safe distance away from their own families. | The Frontline Stays programme is designed to provide up to 100,000 healthcare staff and first-responders with accommodation close to their patients and a safe distance away from their own families. |
| Government rules state that tourism-related accommodation should only be provided to key workers needing to self-isolate during the pandemic. | |
| Airbnb has now disabled its instant-booking function for whole properties. It blocked private room bookings last week. | Airbnb has now disabled its instant-booking function for whole properties. It blocked private room bookings last week. |
| Last week, the tech firm pledged to give out $250m (£201m) to hosts that had lost income as a result of the pandemic. | Last week, the tech firm pledged to give out $250m (£201m) to hosts that had lost income as a result of the pandemic. |
| In a message to hosts on 31 March, chief executive Brian Chesky said: "When your business suffers, our business suffers." | In a message to hosts on 31 March, chief executive Brian Chesky said: "When your business suffers, our business suffers." |
| A few days later, it announced that it had raised $1bn from investors to help it through the crisis. | A few days later, it announced that it had raised $1bn from investors to help it through the crisis. |
| The news site Techcrunch has reported that Airbnb is rejigging its business model to focus on longer-term stays. | The news site Techcrunch has reported that Airbnb is rejigging its business model to focus on longer-term stays. |
| It said the company had changed its front page to promote such listings and had contacted hosts about the benefits of longer bookings. | It said the company had changed its front page to promote such listings and had contacted hosts about the benefits of longer bookings. |
| The BBC has asked Airbnb for comment. |