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Thinking of booking an Airbnb as a safe alternative to hotels, but want to do so responsibly? During such uncertain times and considering the effects that stress and isolation have had on our health and psyche, booking a home rental can help you find relief.
I recently completed a domestic Airbnb vacation two hours away from home. I am headed to another Airbnb for a relaxing staycation and am in the process of securing a longer Airbnb trip for a change of season.
Based on my experience booking Airbnb stays for years, and my experience reserving Airbnb homes in the age of COVID, here are my health and safety tips to ensure cleanliness and help you continue to travel responsibly.
Check for a Sparkle Icon on the Airbnb Website Listing
Whether during the pandemic or in your normal vacation lifestyle, cleanliness ratings should always be high priority when choosing an Airbnb. Airbnb guests can provide detailed reviews about their stay and offer great insight on the cleanliness of your potential host.
Hosts who are committed to Airbnb’s new 5-step cleaning process will have a sparkle icon on their listing. So when selecting your Airbnb, this is one of the first things you should look for.
After November 20, 2020, any Airbnb host who does not have the sparkle badge (noted for enhanced cleaning commitment) may be subject to warning, suspension, or account removal.
Is Airbnb’s 5-step enhanced cleaning process safe during COVID-19?
Airbnb partnered with experts (former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and based on guidance from the CDC and WHO) to develop their 5-step enhanced cleaning process and host handbook.
Paired with standard health and safety guidelines, Airbnb believes their enhanced cleaning protocol can help keep travelers safe during the pandemic and beyond.
Here’s what the “Enhanced Clean” sparkle icon looks like:
Choose Airbnb Amenities over Local Activities
In non-pandemic times, booking an Airbnb was common for people who wanted to be near sights and activities. All while still having privacy and self-efficiency. Nowadays, Airbnb is sought after as the perfect social distancing solution (contrary to many hotels and resorts).
To make your Airbnb experience safe and healthy, choose listings offering private amenities. This is a more ideal choice than heading out for local activities or sharing amenities with other homes.
This also reduces crowding in the towns you are visiting, keeps you socially distanced, and still offers plenty of entertainment. I recently stayed at an Airbnb that offered plenty of private land, a trough pool, sauna, and games and activities in the house.
Communicate with your Airbnb Host
If you are high risk, like me, you might be on edge when it comes to trusting others’ commitments to cleanliness (sparkling icon or not). Don’t be afraid to communicate your concerns with your Airbnb host before booking to ensure you’re on the same page.
When I book, I let them know we are specifically getting away for a relaxing and isolated stay. I also tell them I am immunocompromised, so I appreciate their extra commitment to cleanliness. Last, I sought out flexible cancellation policies for reassurance.
Prioritize Self Check-in
To ease worries about interacting with your host (although, by Airbnb’s protocol the host should always be masked and upholding health and safety standards), I recommend you filter your Airbnb search to solely display rentals that offer self-check in.
What is Airbnb self check-in?
Airbnbs with self check-in don’t require you to meet someone upon arrival. You may be able to enter by lock box with a key inside, an electronic keypad on the door, or a smart lock. Self check-in also grants a broader check-in window (perfect for later arrivals).
Arrive at Your Airbnb with Disinfectant Supplies
You can never be too safe during times like this. Especially if you are high risk. Pack disinfectant spray, antibacterial and sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, and of course – antibacterial soap for hand washing.
When you arrive, wipe down frequently touched surfaces. This includes doorknobs, handles and faucets, light switches, countertops and tables, and places you eat from.
Clear the Air: Open Windows and Bring an Air Purifier
Since virus droplets can remain airborne, an extra safe arrival routine would include airing out the house by simply opening the windows. Not every home allows open windows, so this will vary, but it is worth a try.
If open windows aren’t enough, especially if you are asthmatic, bring your own portable air purifier (HEPA). Here is one on Amazon and more information on how effective air purifiers might be.
Take it Slow on the First Day
What I found to be the most reassuring action upon arrival was simply taking it slow on the first day to wait out the lifespan of the virus. I didn’t interact with the amenities, I touched only essentials around the house, and I simply took the opportunity to rest after a day of packing and traveling.
For more information on how long coronavirus lasts on surfaces, this article from Business Insider is helpful. As it points out, the lifespan on surfaces depends on temperatures and humidity.
Travel with a Secure Vacation Pod
My biggest worry when planning an Airbnb trip is less about the home and more about the people I am staying with, if any. If you are vacationing with people from outside of your household or people who have increased exposure to the virus, you increase the risk of contracting and spreading.
That said, I found meticulously planning a vacation pod is a safe way to see others while still limiting the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 (as compared to planning a group Airbnb stay with no rules.)
Just be sure to be selective about who is in your pod. I wrote a whole guide to planning a travel pod in this article that you can reference.
Continue Using Common Sense and Best Practices
For a safe and healthy Airbnb stay, don’t just concentrate on investigating cleaning protocols; remember basic safety practices too. Always read reviews, ratings, and the host’s profile and listing description carefully, and familiarize yourself with the neighborhood you are staying in before committing to an Airbnb stay.
At the end of the day, common sense, careful research and planning, and consideration for others is our best course of action. Use hygiene best practices, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and get tested/isolate when necessary and we’ll get over this hump sooner than later.
Final thoughts…
As someone with lupus nephritis currently on a number of strong immunosuppressant medications, I am at high risk for complications due to COVID-19 and take every precaution necessary to keep my risk of exposure minimal.
I must note that any movement and interaction with the outside world (deliveries, seeing people, getting gas, going to the doctor, etc.) does increase the risk of contracting and/or spreading COVID-19. Nothing is foolproof.
These health and safety tips for booking an Airbnb are solely based on my experience and should not replace the advice of your doctor, local regulations, or experts.
Information about COVID is constantly changing. Always check with your healthcare provider and local government websites before making any travel decisions, and prepare to evaluate whether it may be necessary to cancel or postpone your trip.
xx, O.
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