KUALA LUMPUR (July 29): Malaysian hosts have in general welcome Airbnb's Malaysian Medical Association (MMA)-backed enhanced cleaning protocol as communities reopen for travel in Malaysia, said the short-term rental accommodation company.

In a statement today, Airbnb said hosts nationwide can now enrol their listings in Airbnb’s Enhanced Cleaning Protocol.

Airbnb said this is a comprehensive programme offering the first overarching standardised guidelines for cleaning and sanitisation in the home-sharing industry and is now available in 75 countries and regions worldwide.

Airbnb said all hosts in Malaysia can now access the enhanced cleaning educational materials in their local languages through its resource center, including a quick start guide and cleaning handbook.

These local resources offer guidance on the use of personal protective equipment, how to clean every room in a home, what to sanitise, and what supplies to have on hand, it added.

It said the new resources include expert-backed health and safety guidelines on mask-wearing and social distancing, which are especially important for private room hosts.

To enrol their listings, hosts, including those that share private rooms, can go directly to their Airbnb accounts.

Hosts who complete a quiz and attest to the Enhanced Cleaning Protocol receive a special highlight on their listing to let guests know they have committed to the protocol’s enhanced cleaning and sanitisation routine.

It noted in addition to cleaning standards for homes, Airbnb is also offering new safety and cleaning initiatives for in-person experiences in countries and regions where these activities have reopened, based on guidance from local governments and health experts.

These guidelines include requiring all hosts and guests to wear face coverings, limiting group size, and maintaining social distancing. Hosts are also required to follow the protocol for experiences conducted in a private space.

Airbnb general manager (India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan) Amanpreet Bajaj said in a post-Covid world, maintaining high standards of health and hygiene is of utmost importance as a critical step in restoring traveller confidence.

“By following the Enhanced Cleaning Protocol, our hosts in Malaysia are taking significant steps towards protecting themselves, their guests and the communities in which they live.

“We are looking forward to further collaborating with local governments, medical experts and other authorities to ensure a consistent approach that would help support the recovery of the Malaysian tourism industry,” he said.

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