With restrictions continuing around most parts of the country, many travelers are hesitantly getting back to traveling. But as the pandemic continues, more and more information points to hotels being one of the top three places to contract covid-19. The reopening of restaurants, gyms and hotels carries the highest danger of spreading Covid-19, according to a study that used mobile phone data from 98 million people to model the risks of infection at different locations according to researchers at Stanford University and Northwestern University .
When it comes to lodging, travelers have many choices, making navigating travel in the time of a pandemic even more complicated.
Although many large hotel chains have announced sweeping changes to their cleaning policies, travelers who once valued hotels for on-demand housekeeping, room service, and other staff-backed services may now view those same person-to-person interactions as liabilities. In fact, while hotel companies have been flouting these new cleaning initiatives for months as a way to regain traveler confidence, guests at many of the “best hotel chains” in the United States say they are not living up to the promises.
Enter Airbnb’s like Remington Flats located in Fort Collins, CO. This type of Short-Term rental has traditionally appealed to the type of traveler who valued a more private, residential-like, and DIY experience. However, as the pandemic rages toward new record high’s, more people are seeking out these types of accommodation and according to Annie Cross, co-owner of Remington Flats, “We have seen a marked change in the types of guests booking, and the length of the average stay since the start of the pandemic. We’ve hosted CEO’s of Multibillion dollar companies and couples wanting to escape their metropolitan homes for months at a time.”
Their experience is not unique. Short-term rentals like hers have outperformed hotels in 27 global markets since the onset of Covid-19, according to a report by the hotel benchmarking firm STR and the short-term rental analysts AirDNA.
But how can you know if the Airbnb you’ve chosen is safe?
Airbnb Images
In response to the crisis, in late April, Airbnb first announced its Enhanced Cleaning Initiative and Airbnb hosts now must commit to specific health and safety guidelines when they log into their Airbnb account. Similarly, guests will be prompted to agree to the same guidelines when they book a listing.
Airbnb has recently taken this a step further and now requires all hosts and guests to commit to the following COVID-19 safety practices:
All guests and hosts must wear masks and practice social distancing when interacting with each other.
All hosts must commit to implementing Airbnb's five-step enhanced cleaning process by November 20. Otherwise, their accounts may be subject to warnings, suspensions, or removal.
The five-part process includes stricter preparations for safe cleaning (think: proper ventilation during cleanings, only using recommended cleaning supplies, wearing PPE, etc.), cleaning dust and debris, sanitizing with the right disinfectant, adhering to room-by-room checklists, resetting rooms for each guest, and committing to higher cleaning standards, among other action items.
However, there are still tiers of varying strictness within the new program that hosts can choose to adhere to.
The most stringent is known as Enhanced Clean. With this option, hosts must participate in a learning and certification program known as the Cleaning Protocol. It also mandates guidelines for hosts such as the use of personal protective equipment including masks and gloves for hosts or cleaners, and also requires the exclusive use of disinfectants that have been approved by regulatory authorities.
As an alternative option, hosts can instead choose to opt into what is called the Booking Buffer. In this scenario, the listing remains vacant for 24 hours after the guest leaves. Then, a host or cleaning team can enter (the cleaning requirements are not as stringent as Enhanced Clean). But another 48 hours must pass before a guest may enter. These homes are identified by a badge that displays the home has been vacant for 72 hours in between guest stays.
The third option? Hosts can do neither of those things and simply adhere to the basic five-step process Airbnb is now requiring. But then their listings, void of additional opt-in labels, may not be very appealing for guests to book, "so there is market pressure," they said.
Hobo_018/Getty Images
In a recent interview for Business Insider article on the topic, one Dr. Thomas Russo, chief of the division of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo recommends the following:
On arrival, disinfect the flat surfaces — like kitchen countertops — he says. "The inanimate objects and surfaces are a lower risk than the people risk,".
Also consider running a disinfecting wipe over phones, TV remotes, door handles, bathroom faucets, and toilet handles, Dr. Russo adds.
If you want to be safe, run utensils and dishware through the dishwasher when you get there and that should take care of that,"
Steer clear of Airbnb’s with shared spaces. Look for Airbnb’s that have their own separate entrances, kitchens, and baths. Find Airbnb’s with contactless check-in and keyless entry.
How do you know if your Airbnb host is following the guidelines? Your best bet is to think small. Many Airbnb operators own multiple properties and do so for real estate investment. In most cases this means they hire 3rd party cleaning companies which they rarely oversee or check on to make sure they are following the protocols. Stick with Mom & Pops like Remington Flats or The Fort Apartment where the owners do all of the cleaning for their properties themselves. Doug Cross said, “We absolutely would not trust any cleaning company or maid service to take the precautions we are taking to ensure the health and safety of not only our guests but to ourselves.”
According to the same Business Insider article, John Marroni, owner and president of the disaster recovery company National Restoration, which now has a dedicated coronavirus arm, also suggests using your instincts as a guide to help determine whether your rental is adequately safe and sanitary when you arrive. "I would absolutely check all surface tops and make sure to look for dust," he says. "If you see dust, then the chances of them thoroughly cleaning is questionable."
Finally, when asked if Dr Russo would consider Airbnb a safer option than a hotel he answered without equivocating: "I absolutely agree with you. Anything you can do to decrease your encounters with other individuals will be safer. Or if you have those encounters, they're at safe distances with everyone wearing masks ideally."