Airbnb is blocking the possibility of booking accommodation in downtown Washington, D.C. next week – the week of the inauguration of incoming President Joe Biden. This was announced today by the company.
Biden’s inauguration will be held next Wednesday, January 20th. Customers who have previously placed an order for next week in the city’s metro area will receive a refund and their order will be canceled.
Read more in Calcalist:
US President Joe Biden Photo: Getty Images
The company will also compensate the hosts who have already received an invitation to the freeze days – in its announcement it was emphasized that the cancellations will also apply to reservations for the HotelTonight service.
In the background of the decision, the FBI issued a warning against violent, gun-carrying protests in demonstrations planned for the city ahead of the inauguration of incoming President Joe Biden. Following the warning, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowse, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam asked the public not to visit the area in the days leading up to the event.
Officials justified the appeal in the Corona plague and the risks associated with excess visitors, as well as in the onslaught of Capitol Hill and the fear of a mass protest flare-up to similar violent incidents.
Just a few days ago, Airbnb announced that it was making progress with its security plan ahead of the January 20 inauguration. The company also announced that it would stop providing services to people who were involved in the violent riots on January 6, and in the mass raid on Congress.
Airbnb today announced in its announcement that it had already identified a few individuals who were linked to hate groups involved in the riots in Capitol Hill – and that they had been removed from the platform.
Receive a daily newsletter summarizing the news of the day directly to your email. Click to register