Airbnb is expanding its global Frontline Stays programme to Malaysia in an initiative to provide 100,000 Covid-19 first responders around the world with safe and convenient places to stay while they carry out their critical work.
To be launched in April, the programme will be implemented by Airbnb’s Malaysian arm, together with local hosts endorsed by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).
Under the programme, healthcare professionals, relief workers and first responders can book both free and paid stays in 160 countries and regions.
Airbnb head of Public Policy (Southeast Asia) Mich Goh said many non-profit organisations and Malaysian hosts have reached out to the platform seeking ways to support frontliners.
“In light of the movement control order (MCO), we are glad to be able to collaborate with the MOH to do what we can collectively, to provide a comforting home to these local heroes who are putting themselves at risk for us every day,” she said in a statement.
Airbnb notes that accommodation for relief and medical workers who have higher exposure to Covid-19 requires robust preventive practices and stringent safety standards.
In this regard, Airbnb takes the health and safety of its community very seriously and has worked with leading experts and officials to develop a protocol for hosts who support the collective health effort.
“The protocol will also be updated to incorporate new requirements from local and national authorities as well as the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” Goh said.
She said Airbnb’s partners or affiliates would ensure that the stays are Covid-19-related and that the responders are familiar with safety protocols.
Examples of safe hosting recommendations include listing entire homes and agreeing to a number of safety requirements such as enhanced cleaning, social distancing with their guests, and allowing 72 hours between stays.
Airbnb said it will continue to waive all fees for the first 100,000 stays booked through the programme.
Hosts can also opt into the programme and have the option of opening their homes for free through Airbnb’s Open Home platform, created in 2012 to meet the needs of people requiring emergency housing.
If they are not able to host for free, Airbnb said it will still waive all fees on the stay.
Malaysia is the latest country to join the initiative, following local partnerships announced by Airbnb with medical organisations around the world such as the National Health Service in the UK, Sutter Health in California, the Ministry of Housing in France and Barcelona Official Doctors Association.
To help power even more stays for relief workers while they do their critical work, Airbnb has also launched a donation tool, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to non-profits engaged in Covid-19 relief efforts.
Well-wishers can donate through https://www.airbnb.com/openhomes/covid19relief.
- Bernama
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