Airbnb says it is prioritizing the health and safety of its community with the introduction of a program to record the health of guests prior to a stay.
The Health Safety Assertion tool allows hosts to request that guests declare their status in relation to COVID-19 symptoms. Guests will also be asked to declare if they have recently been exposed to COVID-19.
The attestation will happen around the time of booking, and guests will also attest that - closer to check-in - they will reach out if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been recently exposed to COVID-19.
It is not known yet if or how the tool will apply to Airbnb Experiences.
The tool is being developed according to guidelines from the World Health Organization and local agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S.
Unlike the mandatory health disclosures introduced by some borders and airlines, Airbnb's is currently a voluntary program, the company says, but this could change as guidance from agencies and health experts alters.
An official explains: "Like we have done with our programs to support health and safety during the pandemic, we will look to learn from how the tool is used and apply those learnings. That allows us to best understand how it can best serve the community."
Airbnb says the first phase of the program will be for guests to declare exposure and symptoms but may be expanded to include notification of test results and vaccinations.
The U.S. is one of the first of a number of other unnamed countries or regions where the tool will be introduced.
The official continues: "As people are planning to safely reconnect with family and friends in the coming year, travelers are factoring in safety: in a recent survey, 44% cited health and safety protocols as a top consideration when deciding where to stay when planning their next trip. Consumers are also seeking entire homes that prioritize privacy and more control over their environment."