As cases of COVID-19 surge in the state, Airbnb is cracking down on more than three dozen houses used for parties in Columbus.
The short-term rental company has notified 40 listings across the city that they are suspended or have been removed from the Airbnb platform. The move is part of the company’s global ban on party houses and an effort to reduce large gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“With COVID-19 on the rise across the state, it’s critical that we all do our part to reduce the number of parties and large gatherings,” said Alex Dagg, northeast public policy director for Airbnb, in an emailed statement.
Airbnb also says has suspended listings in Cincinnati and Cleveland where it had received complaints or that otherwise violated event policies.
The company moved to ban so-called party houses last year, and 24/7 hotline allows neighbors to report any of their concerns.
Airbnb also says it screens high-risk reservations, and has blocked almost 200 of them in Ohio.
