Following violent events that unfolded in Washington DC last week, Airbnb has decided to cancel all metro area reservations in the U.S. capital throughout inauguration week. Additionally, users will be blocked from making a new booking duration that same time period.
Guests who have already made reservations will be refunded in full by Airbnb, and similarly, hosts will also be reimbursed the money they expected to earn from the canceled reservations. Airbnb said that reservations made on HotelTonight, the hotel-booking application it acquired in 2019, will also be canceled.
Airbnb said the decision has been taken in response to requests from local, state, and federal officials who asked the public not to travel to the capital for President-elect Joe Biden"s inauguration on January 20. It wrote:
“Mayor Bowser, Governor Hogan and Governor Northam have been clear that visitors should not travel to the DC Metro area for the Inauguration.”
Airbnb announced yesterday that it was banning all those who took part in Washington DC"s riot last Wednesday as part of its "Capitol Safety Plan." All individuals whose involvement is confirmed will be checked for an Airbnb account and banned if found.