Vacation rentals have seen an increase in popularity over the past few years. Many people know of the most common type of rental Airbnb, which has seen a drastic reduction in customers as of late. Before the pandemic, young adults often used these online platforms or to book vacation rentals with friends or the summer, in addition to families wanting to rent a more affordable beach house for their family summer vacation. 

As COVID-19 took over the country, we experienced quarantines, travel restrictions, and border closures. Meaning, there will be no international travel this summer, at least if you live in the U.S. However, I don’t think anyone can complain about that. Instead, families are hoping to have some semblance of a vacation, possibly in the form of a road trip or by using a vacation rental. 

People Are Still Booking Trips

The pandemic is not stopping everyone from canceling their summer vacation. A significant portion of the population will take some form of a trip this summer. Whether it is a weekend trip or a road trip across the country. The demand for vacation rentals is slowly increasing as we approach July. People are willing to take a risk to leave the house after nearly 4 months at home. 

We all know that traveling does increase your risk of contracting the virus, however, that doesn’t mean you cannot take a safe trip this summer. For people who absolutely must do some trip this year, even if it is an hour away, look up the safety guidelines for your desired location. The CDC recommends that you research the state and local health departments and their existing restrictions. 

Is It Safe To Go?

Since the virus spreads mainly from person-to-person contact, the vacation area that you choose is the most important. If you are choosing a rental in a “hot spot” or area of high community transmission, then the risk of contracting the virus increases. If that specific area sees many visitors throughout the summer from different states, the chances of someone introducing the virus can be a concern. Therefore, choosing a more isolated vacation rental such as a cabin will lower the risk to you and your family. 

When arriving at your vacation rental, you should do an inspection of the property to make sure every surface appears clean. If you see fingerprints on the refrigerator, for example, you know you must disinfect the rental. If you see a significant amount of mess or dirt left behind, you may question how safe it is to stay there.  

If the home seems to be clean and sanitized, it is still recommended to clean commonly used surfaces such as light switches, remotes, doorknobs, and counters. Also, putting the dishes and silverware in the dishwasher for cleaning is a good idea. 

Here are the surfaces that the virus can survive on: 

• Plastic: 2-3 days
• Stainless steel: 2-3 days
• Copper: 4 hours
• Cardboard: 24 hours

What Precautions Are Vacation Rentals Taking?

Vacation rental sites like Airbnb and Vrbo have specific guidelines for property managers and owners to clean the rentals. They also recommend spacing out vacation rentals between customers for any virus present to die off. Blocking out the time between each rental is extremely important. The virus can only survive for 3 days at most from what we know, so remember that when booking your next vacation rental. 

While vacation rental sites are taking precautions to keep guests coming, you should always do what is best for you and your family. It is ultimately your decision to take a vacation this summer. Staying in a rental is not as safe as being home, of course, but every traveling decision is a calculated risk.