You "AirBnB" have a lot of nerve to think you can control others financials. For you to arbitrarily refund without discussing with us property owners, is outright rude, unprofessional and it's almost strong arm tactics, since we have no say in the matter. What's next refund 100% because the roads are icy. Who is to say that won't happen again? While I agree, there is a health issue at hand. The severity of up was hyped up by the media, with the liberals initiating it, it's not rocket science follow the trail.
Airbnb extenuating circumstances should not blanket everyone together. There is no travel advisories in my state "fact". There are no travel advisories for most of the guests I had booked. This isn't Europe, this isn't China "ground zero" the people responsible for this. They cancelled because our big ears festival was cancelled, fact. What's next? Elton John stubs his toe, and cancels, is that going to happen? Is AirBnB going to implement new extenuating exceptions, forcing us to fully refund because Elton cancels? Or wait, the restaurant Not Watson's here on market square is closing because of the hyped panic and cancels all the reservations. And the guests cancel because their favorite restaurant cancels. Are you going to give those guests a full refund to?
If you care as much about the owners as you do the guests/clients, you would do this the proper and professional way. Each state, each country should be looked at separately, as stated above my state has no restrictions. You should have asked our opinion, I started communications with my clients/guests "not yours" when this all started explaining to them that while I would not refund, I would offer them a certificate for a future stay. That is the proper way to do things, give options minimally, but instead you chose to change the rules and policies in effect on our properties, on your own.
I am happy AirBnB is protecting future sales and bookings, just sucks we the owners who do all the work, get screwed in the process!