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Airbnb doesn't want you throwing July 4th parties in rental homes

The company has a plan to prevent large gatherings and keep people safer during the coming summer months.

Ty Pendlebury Editor
Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
Expertise Ty has worked for radio, print, and online publications, and has been writing about home entertainment since 2004. He majored in Cinema Studies when studying at RMIT. He is an avid record collector and streaming music enthusiast. Credentials
  • Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.
Ty Pendlebury
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Airbnb

Airbnb on Monday unveiled a new initiative to prevent unauthorized Fourth of July parties and enforce last year's ban on groups of 16 or more people amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

The company's "Summer of Responsible Travel" will bar guests who don't have a history of positive reviews from making one-night reservations during the Fourth of July weekend for entire home listings in the US. The company said people who have already booked their one-night reservation won't be subject to this restriction, but noted that its ban on parties is still in effect.

"We've learned that July 4 is being pegged as the 'reopening' date in the US, which is great for the country as well as for the Airbnb community," the company wrote in a blog post. "We also know that public health and safety experts are still saying mass gatherings should not happen." 

The eight-point plan includes host discounts for noise-detection devices from Minut, as well as enhanced neighborhood and community support. The plan also focuses on pool and fire safety, with a spotlight on west coast residents and travelers and seasonal fire dangers.

Despite the rapid rollout of vaccines, the coronavirus continues to be an issue in the US. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that people still need to avoid large groups, social distance and wear masks. Last month, the agency said vaccinated people can gather in small groups

Read more: Is it safe to travel yet? Current travel guidelines for COVID-19

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.