Answers to your hosting questions about COVID-19

Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic in March 2020, our community has navigated unprecedented challenges and times of uncertainty. We want to continue to support you by answering some common Host questions about vaccines, COVID-19 variants, cleaning, and more.

What guidance can you offer Hosts about ongoing COVID-19 concerns, like new variants?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve consulted with top medical experts to help guide our response.

“As we see the development of new variants emerging around the world, we’re continuing to work closely with Airbnb to monitor and update our recommendations for their community as needed,” says Airbnb medical adviser Dr. Megan Coffee, an infectious disease physician, epidemiologist, and researcher.

“Airbnb still requires all Hosts to follow the mandatory 5-step cleaning process, and we also urge Hosts and guests to observe all local health and travel requirements,” she says.

To help travelers keep track of changing COVID-19 related guidelines, we’ve also partnered with Sherpa, an online tool that provides travelers with real-time travel rules for destinations worldwide. Hosts and guests can use Sherpa to learn about testing requirements, quarantine protocols, and other restrictions.

What should I do if I can’t host due to COVID-19 restrictions in my area?
You can use Sherpa to learn about testing requirements, quarantine protocols, and other restrictions nearby. If you anticipate that you may have to cancel an upcoming booking due to government-mandated restrictions, we recommend communicating with your guests as early as possible to let them know that their trip may be impacted.

Seasoned Hosts have told us that they suggest guests rebook for future dates, and sometimes offer extra days or other discounts to increase the chance that guests will want to reschedule.

If you need to cancel a booking because of a government-mandated travel or hosting restriction, we encourage you to reach out to our Community Support team as soon as possible for help reviewing your situation. If you cancel, you won’t receive a payout, but you may be eligible to have additional consequences—such as impacts to your Superhost status—waived.

Can I require my guests to be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19?
Hosts can set their own house rules, including specifying whether they require guests to be vaccinated or recently tested for COVID-19, unless prohibited under applicable local laws or regulations.

If you’re requiring guests to be vaccinated or recently tested, be sure to say so clearly and prominently in your listing description as well as in your house rules, so potential guests don’t miss it.

What are the latest guidelines on cleaning, social distancing, and masks? 
As we continue our efforts to help protect our communities and prevent the spread of COVID-19, Hosts are required to follow the 5-step enhanced cleaning process between stays. For detailed instructions and checklists, you can download our cleaning handbook, which was developed in partnership with medical experts. 

Since Airbnb has listings around the world, and different regions may be at different stages of their COVID-19 containment efforts, we’re asking Hosts and guests to follow local laws and guidelines for mask wearing and social distancing. Where required by local laws or guidelines, Hosts and guests must agree to wear a face covering and maintain six feet (two meters) of distance when interacting with one another in person.

Learn more about our COVID-19 safety practices

What is the extenuating circumstances policy, and does it still cover COVID-19-related cancellations?
The extenuating circumstances policy applies when unforeseen events, such as natural disasters or public health emergencies, make it impossible or illegal to complete a booking. Hosts and guests affected by an event covered by this policy may be eligible to cancel their reservation without penalty.

The extenuating circumstances policy is meant to cover unforeseeable circumstances, but COVID-19 is now a known part of our world. For bookings made on or after May 31, 2022, COVID-19–related circumstances will not be covered under our policy. This means that guests will not be able to receive a full refund if they cancel a booking because they have COVID-19, unless allowed by your cancellation policy.

For bookings made before May 31, 2022, and for domestic bookings in South Korea and mainland China, certain COVID-19-related circumstances will continue to be covered.

Learn more about removing COVID-19 as an extenuating circumstance

What happens if my guests or I get COVID-19?
If a Host or a guest has tested positive for or been exposed to COVID-19 within the past 14 days, or if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, it’s Airbnb’s policy that guests should not check in and Hosts should not enter their space or interact with guests in person.

If a guest gets sick with COVID-19 and wants to cancel, the Host’s cancellation policy will apply to bookings made on or after May 31, 2022.* If a guest has already checked in and either you or they get COVID-19, contact Airbnb to let us know so we can help.

Will it affect my Superhost status if I cancel a reservation because I’m sick with COVID-19? 
If you need to cancel a booking because you’re ill, we encourage you to reach out to our Community Support team as soon as possible for help reviewing your situation. If you cancel, you won’t receive a payout, but you may be eligible to have additional consequences—such as impacts to your Superhost status—waived.

What else do I need to know about maintaining my Superhost status during COVID-19?
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, we temporarily waived some criteria for existing Superhosts. We’ve now returned to our standard requirements for Superhosts, meaning Hosts need to meet all 4 criteria to earn or keep Superhost status.

Learn more about updates to the Superhost assessment

I still have questions. Who should I contact?
For more information, we encourage you to check out our COVID-19 safety resources or visit the Help Center. If you have an urgent question, please reach out to our Community Support team.

*For bookings made before May 31, 2022, and for domestic reservations in South Korea & mainland China, certain COVID-19 related circumstances will continue to be covered under our extenuating circumstances policy.

Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.