Airbnb Launches Initiative to Support Malaysian Frontline Responders

• Airbnb is expanding its global Frontline stays initiative to provide housing to 100,000 COVID-19 responders as it looks to launch a local program in Malaysia, endorsed by the Ministry of Health. 
• Malaysian hosts who wish to join other hosts worldwide in this joint effort can sign up to provide homes that follow cleanliness protocols based on recommendations from medical experts.
• Malaysia is the latest country looking to launch this initiative, following local partnerships announced by Airbnb with medical organizations 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.

Following Airbnb’s recent announcement on the launch of its global Frontline stays initiative to help house 100,000 healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders around the world, the company is now preparing to expand its program to assist COVID-19 frontline responders in Malaysia to provide them with safe and convenient places to stay while they carry out their critical work. 

The program’s launch in Malaysia, expected to launch in April, will be a joint effort between Airbnb and Malaysian hosts, endorsed by the Ministry of Health. Airbnb is also exploring working with other local civil society and non-profit organizations to garner support for this initiative. Airbnb hosts in Malaysia who wish to open their homes and be a part of the program can sign up at airbnb.com/covid19relief. 

Introducing a global program driven by local partners

Following the global launch of Frontline stays, Airbnb’s incredible community of hosts have offered 100,000 places to stay for people responding to the pandemic. Through this program, frontline staff can book both free and paid stays in 160 countries and regions. 

Frontline stays has also been expanded so that individual responders can book directly on the Airbnb platform, allowing hosts to help even more people who are in immediate need. Airbnb will be working with businesses, nonprofits and government and emergency management agencies supporting these healthcare staff and first responders. 

Airbnb will continue to waive all fees for the first 100,000 stays booked through this program. Hosts can also opt into the program and have the option of opening their homes for free through Airbnb’s Open Homes platform, created in 2012 to meet the needs of people requiring emergency housing. If hosts are not able to host for free, Airbnb will still waive all fees on the stay.

“From floods to earthquakes and other natural disasters, the Airbnb community has a long history of providing accommodation to those in need when the worst happens. Amid this global pandemic, we at Airbnb recognize that medical workers are at the forefront of saving lives and we are committed to working with our community to do whatever we can to support them”, said Mich Goh, Head of Public Policy (Southeast Asia), Airbnb. “We’ve been inspired by the generosity of Malaysian hosts and nonprofits who have reached out to us seeking ways to support their frontline responders. In light of the Movement Control Order, we’re glad to be able to collaborate with the Ministry of Health Malaysia 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.”

“The safety and wellbeing of our COVID-19 responders continue to remain one of the Ministry’s key priorities,” says YB Dato’ Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali, Deputy Minister of Health. “There are ongoing efforts to lend them as much support as possible, in order to enable them to continue doing their jobs, and we believe that this collaboration with Airbnb is a timely initiative which will contribute to those efforts.”

“The efforts undertaken and goodwill shown by Airbnb in a bid to assist the government especially the healthcare front liners, by providing access to free or subsidized accommodations during the COVID-19 outbreak is highly appreciated”, says Dato’ Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min, Secretary-General, MOH.

Khairul and Nani, a husband-and-wife team of Airbnb hosts, are among the early volunteers keen to participate in the program. The duo have seen their listing booked by stranded overseas guests who have been unable to return home due to cancelled flights. “Humanity comes first,” says Nani. “Everyone needs a roof to stay under, especially in this trying time. We need to help each other in any way we can.”

“It is important that all of us recognize the courage of our frontline responders who are facing the dangers of COVID-19 daily,” added Khairul. “We’re glad that Airbnb is launching this initiative in Malaysia, and we hope more Malaysian hosts will sign up for the program so we can work together to support our healthcare staff and first responders.”

Upholding a commitment to health and safety

Accommodation for relief and medical workers who have higher exposure to COVID-19 requires robust preventive practices and stringent safety standards. 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 this collective health effort. The protocol will be updated to incorporate new requirements from local and national authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Examples of safe hosting recommendations include listing entire homes and agreeing to a number of safety requirements including enhanced cleaning, social distancing with their guests, and allowing 72 hours between stays. Airbnb’s partners or affiliates will ensure that stays are COVID-19 related and responders are familiar with safety protocols. 

Supporting our frontline responders 

To help power even more stays for relief workers while they do their critical work, Airbnb has also launched a donation tool, with 100% proceeds to go directly to non-profits helping with COVID-19 relief efforts. To donate, go to airbnb.com/openhomes/covid19relief?donate. Hospitals and organizations can also use Airbnb to find accommodations for healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response by signing up here.