Calendar finally blocked for declining to participate in covid hygiene theater

[Lisa723]

Well, Airbnb finally got around to blocking our calendar. We didn't sign up for the ECP, because according to @Catherine-Powell it requires removing from our homes all cookware, tableware, and linens that cannot be rewashed on every turnover regardless of use. This would eliminate one of our listings' primary selling points, not to mention being entirely pointless according to current science-- especially with our four-day vacancy buffer between guests. And while we understand many hosts are taking the "let's not and say we did" approach to this, we won't advertise falsely.

Fortunately we're pretty fully booked through the summer and this will give us the opportunity to prove or disprove our theory that we can fill the remainder of the year with Vrbo and direct booking.

[John5097]

@Lisa723 I wasn't taking issue with your decision. I said repedidly that I don't think its a good idea to not agree to the protocol and keep listing. So I support your decision. We all have our right to an opinion on a topic that affects all of us. If you expected everyone to agree that the policy is useless that also isn't my problem. 

[Lisa723]

@John5097 I think you mean you support Airbnb's decision. And I truly don't need everyone to agree with me that the protocol is absurd; I'd be perfectly happy with it remaining an option for hosts and guests who think it's useful. (I don't want those guests and would be very happy for them to choose a different property.)

I'd also have been perfectly happy with Airbnb continuing to offer the option of a three-day vacancy buffer as an alternative. We signed up for that because we have been leaving the houses empty for three days before cleaning, then another day before check-in, anyway. That option was clearly much more scientifically valid, but it costs Airbnb (and us, of course) money. So Airbnb silently discontinued it, leaving only the policy that shifts the entire cost, and liability burden, to hosts.

[John5097]

@Lisa723 My apologies if I could have phrased my comments better. I wasn't aware Airbnb was allowing the alternative 3 day break between guest. I think its good to get some different perspective. I hope you still keep posting here and keep us updated on your progress. I think a lot of host are so stressed out, especially, whole house listings, having to spy through doorbell camera. I read and appreciate all your comments. I really like you listing as well. If it doesn't work out I certainly wouldn't hold it against you to reactivate your account. Maybe also it might be possible to comply with the cleaning protocols. I really do wish you the best! Its an important discussion and have everyone's input. Appreciate you posting the topic and being so open. 

[Sarah977]

@John5097 ". I just don't see the reasoning to keep hosting and also not agree to the cleaning protocol"

You have one apartment listing that sleeps 2 guests. @Lisa723  has 3 entire home listings which accommodate 11, 5 and 16 guests respectively.

She would have a hundred extra linens to wash at each turnover, that haven't been touched (hosts can tell if their neatly folded stacks of extra bedding have been gone into).

No big deal for you or me to rewash a couple extra sheets or towels that don't appear to have been used, way different for a host like Lisa.

[John5097]

@Sarah977 

Please read my post twice if need to, I already posted this above. 

"Sorry I try to look at things objectively, and of course the cleaning policy will be more challenging for some host that others."  

I also don't make the policy and only here to add a consecutive and honest perspective. 

[John5097]

@Sarah977 

I also posted this above. I have a question. 

"So many other parts of the world, like EU and UK, don't even allow STRs, so I would rather put up with some extra cleaning protocol than being on a list of businesses that aren't allowed to opperate.  So many places are seeing another wave in the world: Brazil, most of EU, India, it would be impossible to adjust each policy every week."

Since I've been reading here in past several months you have claimed repeatedly that you think people hosting during covid is irresponsible, and spreading the virus, and the reason you snoozed yours. Now I notice yours is active and open to bookings even though Mexico is in the midst of high covid numbers. So what changed? This supports what I'm saying. I'm not taking personal issue with Lisa's decision. I just think a lot of people have been clamoring to shut down Airbnb with no proof. I see the cleaning protocol as a proactive method to keep hosting in the face of complete political nonsense. 

I"m proud of my record and my accomplishments. It was a challenging first year for sure but my decision to implement my own cleaning protocol before Airbnb was a major factor. 

[Sarah977]

@John5097  Thank you for reminding me! Seriously.

No, I'm not open for bookings. Haven't been for over a year now. I've been blocking my calendar a month or two in advance. But I forgot to update that. On it now.

[John5097]

@Sarah977 Dang should have booked a few nights when I had the chance! I did enjoy finally getting to see your listing, though! 

[Sarah977]

@John5097  Quite honestly, I'd be willing to host someone I knew, like friends, past guests or other hosts who I knew were just as cautious about COVID as I am. My guest room/bath has a private entrance, not connected to the rest of the house. The only issue is the shared kitchen, where doors and windows are always open, so it's close to being an open-air space. 

But I'm not taking any chances with strangers booking online who might be COVID deniers or anti-maskers or even infected.

[John5097]

@Sarah977 
All my guest have been really responsible. No one at all has mentioned or asked about the Airbnb enhanced cleaning policy. I've always thought guest only care about the ratings and what other guest say. Our city has a mask policy and no one has even mentioned it; everyone just going with the flow at this point. Pretty soon most people will be vaccinated. I wish it were easier for everyone. I would put a door knob that locks on a linen closet anyway, but no one is going to be obsessed about a storage closet. Most host probably think the idea is to clean well enough so that your guest aren't at risk of catching the virus, so just do that and check off the little box. Also I always ask the cashiers at the grocery stores if anyone has gotten covid and so far none have, so I don't think home sharing is any more risky if people take reasonable precautions. Thank goodness haven't had any hysterics. Hope things improve for everyone soon! 

[Alon1]

@Sarah977 

re. 'But I forgot to update that.'

Now that's ironic. But fear not there is of course a vax to inoculate against forgetfulness in this case, decline the cleaning protocols and let Airbnb do the blocking.... One thing less to worry about in life.

[Belinda55]

@John5097  We have basically zero Covid transmission here in Australia, yet are expected to jump the same hoops as hosts in locations with high risk. It is the arrogance of Airbnb coercing a global policy that offends me. We are perfectly capable of following local health regulations that change depending on the level of risk, or may even suspend STR when necessary.

[John5097]

@Belinda55 @I’ve already read your comment several times in this topic. As I also already said there are many countries that are experiencing very sudden increase in cases. Until Airbnb decides to ditch the entire enhanced cleaning protocol it’s likely going to stay as one policy. Australia just banned fans from attending the Australian Open last minute because of an increase in cases. It demonstrates how volatile the virus is. Im sure the UK would have been saying the same thing before it’s giant wave and new variant now spreading across the globe. I don’t have anything to do with Airbnb policy. Are you going to list on another platform? It seems that would be you’d best option. I think Airbnb was smart about their COVID policy and promotion stays for essential workers to help keep STRs from being banned. There isn’t an inspection. Just use some common sense. Like I said already many times I wouldn’t host and not comply with the enhanced cleaning. I understad the pandemic is overwhelming and no one would blame you for snoozing your listing if you can’t cope. Sorry I haven’t taken issue to anyone else’s perspective and keep responding. There is a COVID room here at CC, so would suggest posting there as It might be more constructive and executives might see it. 

[Belinda55]

@John5097  Yes it's volatile which is why local government is the best option for management. I can cope perfectly well, and already get bookings from other platforms that do not practice this coercion. I won't be snoozing, but Airbnb have lost me I'm afraid.

[Robin4]

@John5097 

John, it's because the authorities here in Australia jump into a lock-down situation as soon as a case of community transmission shows up, there are virtually no community transmissions and we are free to go to a football match, dine in a packed restaurant, do what ever we like.

This evening saw the opening of a stage production of the much acclaimed American show 'Hamilton' to a packed house in Lyrics theatre in Sydney.....the only such stage show to be taking place to a live audience anywhere on earth at the moment! There is no risk to any of those theatre patrons because there is no Covid on the loose in Sydney or NSW.

Here is South Australia 39,000 fans turned up to a football match today. None of them are going to get Covid because there is no community Covid in South Australia!

The only problem we have here in Australia is returning expats....or tennis stars, who bring the virus with them, and although they go straight into mandatory quarantine, on occasions the virus will escape.....although we are getting better at containing it.  But the authorities do everything in their power to stop these cases from getting into the community.

John, Airbnb's Covid cleaning protocol is a joke here, sure those of us who can will pay lip service to it, I have modified my hosting in certain areas by removing some of the potential risks but, in reality hosts in this country who have had their calendars blocked have been treated incredibly shabbily by the company! 

John, what Airbnb have essentially said is, because Egypt has 1,000 railway accidents per year,  Australians must take certain precautions before they board their local train!

It is F ing bloody stupid when you come to think about it!

Cheers.......Rob