Concerns over hundreds of Edinburgh Airbnb bookings available for Hogmanay despite Covid-19 warnings

Concerns have been raised about the availability of hundreds of properties on Airbnb in Edinburgh on Hogmanay.

Edinburgh City Council leader, Adam McVey, told the Herald newspaper that all short term let bookings that do not meet public health rules should be “cancelled immediately” amid a recent rise in Covid cases.

It comes as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned Scots against mixing with other households indoors at Hogmanay, particularly in light of concerns about a new strain of Covid-19 which scientists believe could be spreading faster.

Mainland Scotland was placed under tighter level four restrictions on Boxing Day and people should only travel for essential reasons. A travel ban was also put in place between Scotland and other parts of the UK.

Concerns have been raised about the availability of hundreds of properties on Airbnb in Edinburgh on Hogmanay. Pic: Daniel Krason/Shutterstock

Despite these measures, accommodation marketplace platform Airbnb shows more than 300 bookings are available in Edinburgh on New Year’s Eve.

This year, Hogmanay celebrations in the Capital are being broadcast virtually.

Airbnb, which prevented hosts from offering bookings during the first lockdown in March, said public health was their priority and that they are reminding all hosts and guests to follow the rules and have introduced new measures asking guests to confirm they have checked such rules and restrictions before confirming eligibility and making a booking.

Under the new tiered restrictions there remain a number of permitted reasons for travel, such as travel for work.

Mr McVey said this year’s Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh are specifically designed to avoid crowds and that they are encouraging people to enjoy the produced shows from the comfort of their own homes on TV.

A Scottish Greens spokesperson told the Herald that short-term let owners being allowed to advertise in Edinburgh just now is “extremely worrying.”

Sarah Boyack, Lothians Labour MSP, described it as “concerning” given the current restrictions and suggested only one advert mentioned ‘essential travel only’ and that some properties are rooms in people’s homes.

An Airbnb spokesman said: “Public health is our priority and we remind all hosts and guests to follow the rules and keep people safe at this incredibly challenging time.

“We have introduced new measures that ask guests to confirm they have checked local rules and restrictions before confirming eligibility and making a booking.”