Covid Vaccination Certificate Requirement

[David-And-Kevin0]

We closed our BnB cottage in March 2020 because of Covid. Yesterday we began accepting reservations for June 5 and beyond.

I thought we were being original. Our listing was updated with an opening statement that Covid Vaccination Certificates are required for every guest prior to them being given a key.  In addition to the Airbnb listing, we will include a statement with our response to their reservation request.

I soon discovered that we are not alone with that requirement.

Has anybody else done this? Has Airbnb made a statement about it. 

[Jamie362]

Thank you for speaking my mind.  Respect for different viewpoints is paramount.  I too will leave the platform if Airbnb mandates vaccine passports.  It is up to the individual hosts and their comfort level whether they want only vaccinated guests in their spaces.  I do not walk in fear and I support others who do not as well.  Two of my grandsons were severely injured from a required vaccine., one of them from the Covid vaccine.   I am not an anti-vax person BUT I am well aware that requiring free people to take a vaccine they are not comfortable with and limiting their movement in the community is a form of segregation and begins a dangerous precedent.  Hosts should be free to decide how they run their business and guests will book accordingly.  I make no mention of vaccines on my listings and we are busier than ever!  I take all the precautions necessary and follow the Airbnb guidelines for cleaning my space. 

[David-And-Kevin0]

 Effective tomorrow, Sept 10, the State of Hawaii will create a QR Code for residents smartphones. Their Smart Travel program will permit us to upload a record of Covid vaccinations. More and more businesses on Hawaii's various islands are requiring proof of vaccination. QANTAS Airlines has announced they will require proof of vaccination for all international flights.  The country of American Samoa has announced proof of vaccination AND 3 negative Covid tests are required to go there. Other airlines have announced they will require vaccination proof. You best get ready. 

[Sarah977]

@David-And-Kevin0  The unvaxed are going to find out pretty quickly that there are multitude of things they will not be able to do and places they will not be allowed to go.

Freedom to choose also carries consequences for one's decisions. Anyone who doesn't understand that is really immature.

What gets me is that people are acting like this is some new thing. Proof of all sorts of vaccinations have long been required for many jobs, for the military, to send your kid to school, to enter many countries. No one ever jumped up and down screaming discrimination over it before now.

[Katja202]

I totally agree with you @Jennifer2682  Thank you for you're respectfull writting.

[Lorraine16]

I do like the idea of adding a statement as to having a Covid-19 vaccination. Within the past week, I declined two potential booking because these guests did not have vaccinations. Why would not AirBnB have that as the information they promote?

[Karen1176]

I just recently re-opened to bookings in the home I live in, and updated house rules to specify my vaccination requirement. I’m with David and Kevin all the way. The problem I have is that I accepted a long term booking with a traveling nurse. She neglected to review the house rules, is not vaccinated, doesn’t intend to get vaccinated, and arrived with her fiancé in tow who is “just getting over covid.” Airbnb does not allow cancellations on long-term bookings except within 48 hours of reserving. I’ve been waiting for four hours for Airbnb to respond if she can cancel and get a refund or not. I half expect Airbnb will say a host can’t “discriminate” against the unvaccinated, and half expecting they’ll say she can’t cancel and reserve elsewhere. Either way I’m screwed unless they allow her a refund and an opportunity to book elsewhere. 

[Sarah977]

@Karen1176  You as a host always have a choice as to whether to refund or not. And a host or a guest doesn't need Airbnb's permission to cancel.

You don't need to even involve Airbnb. Get her to cancel and refund her payment. Just make sure you receive the original payment before refunding.

[Karen1176]

I could try to get her to cancel, and then write her a check, but I don’t want to risk my superhost status. 

[Karen1176]

If Airbnb’s position is that I can’t require guests to be vaccinated, that’s a problem. 

[Sarah977]

@Karen1176  Why do you think that's Airbnb position? A host on another forum I follow was told by Airbnb that you can ask that your guests be vaccinated and many hosts have that requirement.

And why would you write her a check? That's not what I meant by not involving Airbnb. I meant you don't need to call them and ask their permission. 

You could refund her through the "Send money" option in the Resolution center. 

[Karen1176]

I’ve used the send money option in the past, but rather than taking it back out of my checking account, they take it out of future bookings. She reserved and paid for 40 nights. And I have found nowhere that Airbnb says it’s okay to require vaccines. Currently my state has just passed a law that business can’t require them. Running an Airbnb could be considered a business since we pay the hospitality tax.

[Lisa723]

@Karen1176  If you refund her Airbnb will pay her immediately and deduct the money from your future payouts. I’m sorry (but not surprised) to hear that my home state is joining the set of backwards jurisdictions  prohibiting businesses from requiring vaccination but in your shoes I would not assume that applies to me and I would not wait for advice from Airbnb. You are very unlikely to get any useful guidance there. If you want a legal opinion talk to a lawyer. What is the guest’s stance here? Does she want to stay knowing you don’t want her to?

[Sarah977]

@Karen1176  Yes, that is how Airbnb collects money you owe them, by deducting it from future  payouts.

Of course they don't take it out of your checking account- Airbnb has no access to your bank accounts, that would be illegal. 

[Michele511]

Do NOT send her money. Wait until Airbnb gives it to you and refund her. 

[Jennifer2682]

You can run your business as you see fit, Karen1176.  If you want to require proof of vaccination, you can.  And if you don't, you don't have to.  Fingers crossed it stays that way.