Airbnb has announced today that it will restrict some younger users from its service in order to clamp down on prohibited parties and help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
According to the Guardian, Airbnb’s new rules will apply to those aged under 25 in Britain, France and Spain with fewer than three positive reviews on their account. These users will not be able to book entire properties close to where they live.
Videos by VICE
The restrictions do not impact under-25s with three positive reviews, or the booking of single rooms and hotel rooms.
In June, Airbnb introduced similar measures in the US that stopped users aged under 25 from booking properties near to where they lived – a tell-tale sign of a potential party venue. Restrictions have also been introduced in Canada with positive results, according to Airbnb’s website. Last year, the platform also announced a ban on “party houses”.
Patrick Robinson, director of public policy for Airbnb, explained the new restrictions in a press release. He said: “We want everyone to enjoy the summer safely and while the overwhelming majority of guests on our platform are responsible neighbours, we are absolutely determined to obstruct and weed-out anyone intent on causing antisocial behaviour. We want to do everything we can to be good partners to the communities where hosts live and we hope that our new restriction will make it abundantly clear that there is no home for any unauthorised parties on Airbnb.”
Since UK lockdown restrictions were announced back in March, a number of illegal parties have been staged in Airbnb rentals. The company has also faced difficulty due to the drop in tourism during the pandemic, leaving many holiday lets empty, or entering the market as rental properties.
As new coronavirus cases start to creep up across Europe, some have accused young people of not adhering to public health guidelines. Last month, the World Health Organisation warned that a surge of coronavirus cases in young people could cause spikes of the virus around the world.
Dr Hans Kluge, Europe regional director for the WHO, told the BBC: “They have a responsibility towards themselves, their parents, grandparents and their communities”.
