Airbnb introduces restrictions in Canada to prevent New Year’s Eve holidays – Business News

Photo: The Canadian Press

Airbnb says it has a plan to curb the New Year holidays this year as Canada works to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, with the announcement coming not long after a short-term rental was the site of a party of 60 people in Mississauga.

In addition to the ongoing ban on parties, Airbnb now says guests will need a history of positive reviews on its app to book an entire home for New Year’s Eve in Canada.

Airbnb makes an exception for one-night bookings made through Tuesday, based on data suggesting that bookings made before the start of December rarely involve holidays.

The app is loosening its standards from a similar policy on Halloween, allowing users with previous positive reviews to book a home for one night.

But Airbnb says it will implement stricter policies as the new year approaches, using technology that blocks some types of last-minute bookings.

The Airbnb announcement comes after Peel’s deputy police chief Marc Andrews said a short-term rental unit was the site of a 60-person party last weekend, with thousands in fines to revelers who have violated COVID-19 restrictions.

“Airbnb bans parties and the reported behavior is outrageous,” said Airbnb policy spokesman Nathan Rotman of the weekend party failure.

“We are in contact with Mississauga officials to offer our support and we have suspended the list as we investigate further.”