Czech Hosts Provide Housing to Frontline Medical Staff
Airbnb is working with hosts from across the Czech Republic to provide first responders, doctors and emergency responders in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, with secure accommodation while they carry out their vital work. Through this global initiative, hosts have already offered up nearly 200,000 places to stay in over 160 countries and regions. Frontline staff can book eligible and available stays in their area. Airbnb will waive all fees on the first 100,000 stays booked through this program.
In tough times like these, it is our priority to stand with the Airbnb community to do what we can to help so that frontline medical staff can carry out their vital work in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as well and as safely as possible. Hosts on Airbnb are ensuring that frontline workers can find free, affordable and convenient places to stay. We would like to thank all frontline workers throughout the Czech Republic and the many hosts who are already offering them a place to stay.
Kathrin Anselm, General Manager DACH, CEE & RUS at Airbnb
With this international initiative Airbnb is supporting hosts to reach the goal of providing accommodation to 100,000 COVID-19 responders, inspired by pilot programs launched in France and Italy.
In the UK, Airbnb is working closely with hosts to provide National Health Service (NHS) staff and other frontline workers combating the COVID-19 pandemic with accommodation close to newly built emergency hospitals. In Italy, Airbnb is helping hosts to provide free accommodation for emergency responders who need to move to one of the crisis centres in northern Italy. This way, hosts are helping to protect frontline workers and their families by accommodating them on-site to reduce the risk of infection of others. In France, Airbnb hosts have already accommodated 1,000 medical professionals for free in the last two weeks. In partnership with the French government, hosts all over France have offered over 8,000 free places to stay throughout France since the launch of the program three weeks ago.
Frontline staff can request accommodation under the programme directly through the Airbnb Frontline stays platform where they can book eligible and available stays. Frontline staff can select accommodation based on their needs, e.g. in terms of location. Once a responder has booked, Airbnb will review the professional information to confirm the booking. To participate, hosts can offer entire homes free of charge or at a reasonable price. The respective listings will be available exclusively for use by medical staff within the framework of the program.
Accommodation of frontline staff who are exposed to a higher risk of COVID-19 infections requires prevention and strict safety measures. The health and safety of the Airbnb community is a key priority for Airbnb. Thus, hosts participating in the program agree to the applicable safety and hygiene guidelines.