How safe is it to rent my property at this time?
As travel restrictions are lifted and summer is approaching, the question arises as to whether we can continue to provide safe accommodation in our accommodation.
There is currently an optimistic increase in bookings on large short-term rental platforms. Experts present various protocols and procedures that allow to minimize the risk to both guests and staff involved in housekeeping and hospitality services in general.
Major health organizations recommend maintaining social distance and the use of means of protection especially in public transport and places with increased density of co-operation. However, in the face of summer, we should follow instructions and behaviors with increased caution.
“Experts present various protocols and procedures that allow to minimize the risk to both guests and staff involved in housekeeping and hospitality services in general.”
Tourist accommodation is safe?
All major short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo / Homeaway, have issued guidelines for good practices and procedures for proper cleaning in the current period. All experts agree that the greatest weapon owners and accommodation cleaning staff have in the battle against the virus is its lifespan.
Research has studied the resistance of the virus on various surfaces, and their results have shown different survival times on various surfaces. So the time factor in terms of renting accommodation offers a “safe” way to guard against the virus, between reservations. As the gap ages, the risk from the virus decreases, with the three-day period considered by experts to be a safe time frame.
How to clean my property properly?
The various platforms offer instructions for proper cleaning of accommodation. Vrbo proposes maintaining a gap of at least one 24 hours between bookings, while Airbnb proposes adopting the protocol issued by the CDC with a parallel gap of 24 hours. As long as the proposed protocol is not followed, Airbnb proposes that the empty Interval be at least 72 hours. Adhering to good cleaning practices and the length of time between bookings is now key to keeping guests safe in an accommodation. On the other hand, a thorough cleaning program allows for increased security for the staff involved in cleaning the property.
So briefly we can focus our attention on the following points:
In the event of suspected contaminated surfaces or contact with a suspected or confirmed case it is recommended to use the following PPE:
- High respiratory protection masks FFP2 or FFP3.
- Protective goggles.
- Protective tracksuit, waterproof, with long sleeves, disposable.
- Disposable gloves.
For surfaces likely to be damaged by the use of sodium hypochlorite, ethanol with a concentration of 70% may be used after cleaning with a neutral detergent, but always taking into account the manufacturer’s instructions on the compatibility of the material with the antimicrobial agent to be used.
We thoroughly clean first and then disinfect, large surfaces such as: tables, chairs, knobs, switches, phones, tablets, remote controls, keyboards, handles, desks, toilets and washbasins.
Information sources
National Agency for Public Health (EODY) – https://eody.gov.gr/
World Health Organization (WHO) – https://www.who.int/
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov
European Center for Disease Prevention and Control – https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en