Airbnb bans house parties worldwide to combat Covid-19

Airbnb bans parties and events.

Airbnb has imposed a worldwide party ban at its rental properties and capped occupancy at larger homes to 16, in a bid to minimise the spread of Covid-19.

The short-term home rental company said that some customers have taken “bar and club behaviour to homes”, prompting it to enforce the ban.

“We do not want that type of business, and anyone engaged in or allowing that behaviour does not belong on our platform,” Airbnb said in a blog post.

The new policy will remain in effect indefinitely.

On Airbnb’s website, the “event friendly” search filter and “parties and events allowed” house rules have been removed completely.

The company warns that guests “may be legally pursued by Airbnb if they violate our policy”.

Airbnb bookings have plummeted due to the coronavirus-induced lockdowns around the world.

However, the company is optimistic about its future after it filed for an initial public offering with US regulators on Wednesday.

The number of shares Airbnb will sell and the valuation it will seek have not yet been determined.