Coronavirus

[Sheena86]

I have a guest coming from South Korea and I’m a bit concerned. I’m contemplating cancelling the booking but is that over kill?

[Helen3]

Have you looked at the Airbnb update on cancelling under its exceptional circumstances policy due to the Coronavirus pinned to the top of this forum @Sheena86 

You can cancel but this will be as a host cancellation and therefore have penalties involved.

As you know there are also cases in US, Australia, UK, Canada, more than in South Korea- are you also considering cancelling guests from these countries too?

[Gina136]

Three weeks after, the number of cases in South Korea has grown to 3,000, the CDC classifies that country at Level 3 (= avoid non essential travel), and the list of countries with cases has increased to all the following

• China
• Hong Kong
• Macau
• Taiwan
• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Australia
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Cambodia
• Canada
• Croatia
• Egypt
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• India
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Malaysia
• Nepal
• Oman
• Philippines
• Russia
• Sri Lanka
• Singapore
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• The Republic of Korea
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam

I am sure many more Hosts other than Sheena86 are wondering where they should draw the lines of acceptable risk.

We just don't have enough information yet to know what's an overkill, as the global situation is rapidly evolving and has not stabilized.

Please follow the advise of health authorities.

[Vroni1]

Well !

although Airbnb says it follows the situation worldwide, still Belgium does not appear in their list of countries for which there are no penalties when you cancel.....but we are in a lockdown situation !!!!!!!!

can you understand this ??????

[Anonymous]

@Sheena86 There are currently only 20 documented cases of this virus in South Korea (source:  https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/), and hosts receiving Korean guests do not appear to be eligible for penalty-free cancellations (https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/2701/ ). The situation is evolving quickly, though, and there's a non-zero risk of exposure no matter where your guests are coming from.  

Personally, I wouldn't cancel the reservation. But I might contact the guest to ask if their travel plans have been affected. No doubt some people are choosing to avoid air travel in general.

[Larry339]

Humans are hardwired to see unfamiliar risks as larger than life and have a powerful influence on our behaviour. For instance, in Canada, 2,000 people die annually in car accidents, and 3,500 dies from the seasonal flu. Most people still drive and take minimal precautions to avoid the flu because we are familiar with those risks. But many behaviours have already changed due to the Corona Virus in spite of only four confirmed cases and no deaths in Canada.

I recently had guests from China and took care to wash my hands and avoided touching my face. It is not airborne, so simple precautions should be sufficient to prevent catching the virus. The power of bad news is persuasive, and everyone should make their own decision on what is right for them and their family.

[Gina136]

While seeing unfamiliar risks as larger than "life" may be a case, the current epidemics of the novel COVID-19 is not only an unfamiliar risk: it is above all an emergent and rapidly evolving (and growing) situation, and above all a *non-characterized*, non-stable, and unpredictable risk -- and it should be recognized as such. The health authorities do not currently have enough information about the virus and associated disease to predict risk.

Informed decisions, and close attention to recommendations and guidance from local authorities are key.

[Michael956]

Yes, it's over kill, as well as being a victim of media hysteria. 

[Sheena86]

Wow, thanks for that really helpful response

[Anonymous]

@Sheena86  You are under no obligation to implement the advice you receive. But when experienced peers have voluntarily taken the time to read and consider your request for advice, and share their perspectives, it looks incredibly bad on you to respond only with sarcasm when someone says something you don't want to hear (and which also happens to be pretty reasonable).

Remember, this is a very public forum, accessible to anyone with an internet connection, and your remarks are also a reflection of your approach to hospitality.

[Erica266]

I Really do feel is an over kill, This is more political than other, the disease though young (and that means that can evolve) it appears to be less deadly than the common flu and as previosly stated is not airbone, so you can take simple mesures.
I feel that people from china are paying a high price I recently had 2 cancellentions due to flights being cancelled from china. and is heart breaking because i know that my destination is so far, and so dificult to reach, that they probably can not come at all in other time.
So yes, dont cancel, is not necesary.

[Charlie331]

You have every right to be concerned about all visitors

[Vroni1]

Yes, you are so right to be cautious ! 

I asked Airbnb about their rules in case I want to block all my reservations.

so far, no reply yet !

the risk is high, as we don’t know really the travels of our guests !

vroni