Airbnb aims to provide free housing to coronavirus responders

Airbnb is hoping hosts will back a plan to provide free or subsidised housing to 100,000 people worldwide working on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

The aim is to provide first responders and frontline healthcare workers with safe and convenient places to stay while they do their jobs, a spokesperson for the short-term accommodation company said.

"Medical workers and first responders are providing lifesaving support during the coronavirus outbreak and we want to help," company co-founder Joe Gebbia said.

"We've heard from countless hosts around the world who want to provide a comforting home to heroic first responders. We are connecting our nonprofit partners, government agencies and others with our incredible host community to work together in these extraordinary times."

Hosts who opt into the programme will need to adhere to a new cleanliness protocol developed in consultation with medical experts.

"The protocol will be updated to incorporate new requirements from local and national authorities and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)," the company said, adding that it is working to provide Covid-related resources for hosts.

"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."

The initiative follows a trial in France earlier this week, which saw close to 4000 hosts offer up homes to doctors, nurses and other medical workers.

Epidemiologist and chair of Ending Parademics, Dr Larry Brilliant, who is working with the company on the initiative, said he believes the Airbnb community is in a unique position to help frontline workers.

"We are working to provide clear communication and resources, based on rapidly evolving knowledge about this novel virus and best practices on sanitation, in order to help keep communities as safe as possible."

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, International Rescue Committee and International Medical Corps have deployed thousands of relief workers worldwide to help fight the pandemic.

Many medical workers have opted to isolate themselves from their families and friends because of their heightened exposure to Covid-19. Others have sought out place to stay closer to their workplaces.

International Medical Corps chief executive, Nancy Aossey, said the programme will help first responders and frontline health workers in both "hot spot and low-resource areas" around the world.

"Thanks to this timely and generous support, we can direct more funds to provide medical care, medical supplies, mental health services, and training and education on infection prevention and control while helping ensure our staff members have a place to go home to."

Airbnb is not alone among hospitality companies in its attempts to support people affected by the coronavirus. Hotels around the world, including the Four Seasons in New York City, have turned rooms into temporary hospital and isolation wards.

Hosts interested in taking part in the Airbnb initiative can visit airbnb.com/covid19relief.