Hosts & Vaccination Requirements

[Anonymous]

Now that the Covid vaccine is being rolled out, we're seeing a lot of hosts asking questions about how to make vaccination a condition of entry. I'm not personally in favor of hosts asking for private medical documents, and in many jurisdictions it would be illegal to do so, but these are exceptional times and it's understandable that in-home hosts are trying to find a way to host safely again. As long as Airbnb grants an exemption to the cancellation policy when guests say they've tested positive, hosts have every reason to prefer guests who aren't at risk of this.

So far, the vast majority of people who are able to travel have not had access to the vaccine, but this will hopefully change over the next months. And even though it's a thorny topic, this is the time that hosts really need Airbnb to issue some guidance about how hosts can set requirements here. Can hosts request medical documents, even if they're not qualified to authenticate them? Will the Non-Discrimination Policy be applied to hosts who discriminate against unvaccinated guests? 

@Catherine-Powell I hope this is addressed in the next policy update from Airbnb, because it's increasingly clear that most in-home hosts have no real intention of adhering to the "protocol" that they were aggressively bullied into saying they would follow. If Airbnb is willing to allow people to require guests to be vaccinated, I hope we'll have an on-platform format for guests to enter their data without compromising their medical privacy. But otherwise, I hope we can at least have a loud and clear announcement of what hosts can and can't ask for, so we don't have people's businesses destroyed weeks later by a complaint that they fell afoul of a policy that didn't exist yet.

[Michelle53]

New CDC guidance issued today on vaccinated travellers. 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/02/health/cdc-travel-guidance-fully-vaccinated-wellness/index.html

"The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday released a highly anticipated update to travel guidance for people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, eliminating some testing and quarantine recommendations.

Fully vaccinated people can travel at low risk to themselves, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday, but travel still isn't recommended at this time because of rising numbers of coronavirus cases.

The agency said that as long as coronavirus precautions are taken, including mask wearing, fully vaccinated people can travel within the United States without getting tested for Covid-19 before or self-quarantining after.

For international travel, fully vaccinated people don't need a Covid-19 test prior to travel -- unless it is required by the destination -- and do not need to self-quarantine after returning to the United States. They should still have a negative Covid-19 test before boarding a flight to the US, and a follow up test three to five days after their return, the CDC noted."

Of course, we know that many people are still travelling irrespective of their vaccination status, and are not following guidance regarding mask-wearing and social distancing. 

Being vaccinated isn't a free pass to behave irresponsibly.  I think that public venues are going to have a lot more success imposing "Vaccine Passport"  requirements than STR hosts.   There's too much room for disputes based on personal viewpoints.  People asked for a policy regarding cleaning protocols. Look where that went.    Mass confusion.   

I just can't visualize how one might approach  a vaccinated-status policy, with all the differences in the way people host - homeshare (in-home) host, remote check-in,  hosts with multiple listings, hosts with one listing but a separate entrance.  That's before one even starts in on country-specific requirements. 

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@ Michelle

Thanks for the link. The situation changes daily, so this is valuable. Nonessential travel is still discouraged, and local regulations vary considerably, however, this is definitely hope filled!

[Michelle53]

And then, there's Florida.  Executive order issued banning "Vaccine Passports" in Florida.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/02/florida-vaccine-passports-banned-ron-desantis

[Lisa723]

@Michelle53 if you read the news carefully, this order really only applies to businesses that get state grants or contracts. (The penalty is losing such grants or contracts.) This order is yet another reason to stay away from Florida but its teeth are not large or sharp.

[Michelle53]

@Lisa723  Thanks for the clarification.  I didn't read the fine print. I think it demonstrates the difficulty in applying any kind of blanket "Vaccine Passport" rules.

[Bambi-And-Cis0]

I'm joining this conversation to add information not judgement.  I am in Pa.  I live in a very rural area.  I just started my Airbnb March of 2020. So, I had to wait for the covid   to settle mid 2020 to open my listing. Then, I was trying my best to accommodate with the CDC direction of the time. Well, since then so much has progressed - not all to the good.  I have tried my best to accept the unvaxxed  into my Airbnb. But, its just so stressful and has caused drama and disruption.  So, I have now established that proof of vaccination is required. This virus is nasty nasty.  Its not like a cold or anything like the influenza.  The value of prudence has been dismantled and tossed away... but not here.  I want to stay safe for me and my family and friends. Covid is more that an inconvenience!!  Beyond politics. It is respectful that the un-vaccinated be vigilant to protect others... but, they are not. So, I must be prudent to protect me and mine. The un-vaccinated are free to be un-vaccinated but that does not mean I must allow them to make me sick.   Just as I require no smoking in my home,  just as I announce I have a cat to protect those that may have an allergy.  I protect my guests as best I can from ill health. This is a pandemic, not an endemic YET.  This virus does more than disrupt our economy.. it kills.  But, we have ways to do our BEST to keep our Airbnbs as viable as possible.  Every Airbnb is different and can not follow only ONE standard.  As a side note: I live near farms of many varieties.  If the farm is to stay viable they only allow healthy animals. This means that all animals must be vaccinated. If they are not then there is no milk, no meat, no cheese.... at the price we want to pay.  Sure, there are "natural" farms. But, they are under the same kind of issue. They have other means of keeping the sick out of their farms. All in an effort to stay viable for many reasons such as supplying our world. So, this world is one big farm.  One more analogy,  I am proud to say I am part of the reason our nation eradicated polio, small pox and many other deadly viruses and deceases and or helped to find cures. I know this will all settle. Doing our best for our fellow human is what it takes.  I wish you all the best and joy in all endeavors. Cheers to the new year!

[Mary996]

Hi @Bambi-And-Cis0 

I think its really important that you operate your home the way you want to. And its lovely to read your appreciation of those of us who reject vaccination (recognising that smallpox and other diseases are manifesting in other forms) and elect to maintain health without injections. 

I thought you might be amused to see a vid from the reverse perspective... ENJOY!! 

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM8nrvtEk/

[Sandra126]

In Australia you need to check in everywhere you go with a qr code, also show your vaccine certificate. I assume this rule applies to accom as well, but not sure as I'm not currently hosting. Basically, the unvacced can go food shopping etc but not much else.

[Mary996]

In UK @Sandra126 its polite to show a lateral flow test result to demonstrate all clear. 

[Elaine701]

@Sandra126 

They've just started that here. Now you have to show your vax cert or QR code to enter a restaurant or bar or public buildings. 

The same is true for travel. You can't get on a plane to this destination without it, except under special circumstances, and even then, you need to have a not less than 72 hour old PCR test and fill out forms, etc. 

So I'm not inclined to make it a rule. We're fully vaccinated, and AFAIK, anybody showing up here from elsewhere is most likely required to prove vax as well. No sense in needless additional complications. 

[Carl-and-Miriam0]

Hi there! Looking for wording suggestions on for you ask for negative test or vax cards in you listing 

[Tueykay0]

Option 1:

"Our practice is such and such. Could you let us know then, are you vaccinated or not?"

Option 2:

"I'd like to know what kind of safety precautions need to be in place, I've been vaccinated.  Could you tell me about what's happening where you are?"