Mitigating Risks While Maintaining Sanity- The Safety of St. Lucia Airbnbs vs Hotels
Getting out of the house is a major goal for most families right now, but doing so safely should always be paramount.
Guest safety is the primary concern of all reputable accommodation providers.
Since March, many countries have implemented lockdowns and shelter in place orders for citizens. Naturally, this put a big damper on the travel industry as prospective vacationers rushed to cancel hotel and Airbnb bookings, plane tickets, and other travel-related reservations.
But now that many countries and some US states are relaxing travel restrictions and social distancing measures, travelers are increasingly looking to get away from the homes they’ve been confined to in order to regain some semblance of normalcy amid a global crisis.
While Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky says that “travel will never, ever go back to the way it was pre-COVID", that does not mean that travel will stop.
Instead, travelers are looking a bit harder into what lodging providers are doing to ensure their safety. That brings us to the question we want to answer here- is it safer to stay in a hotel or an Airbnb in the wake of a viral pandemic?
But now that many countries and some US states are relaxing travel restrictions and social distancing measures, travelers are increasingly looking to get away from the homes they’ve been confined to in order to regain some semblance of normalcy amid a global crisis.
While Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky says that “travel will never, ever go back to the way it was pre-COVID", that does not mean that travel will stop.
Instead, travelers are looking a bit harder into what lodging providers are doing to ensure their safety. That brings us to the question we want to answer here- is it safer to stay in a hotel or an Airbnb in the wake of a viral pandemic?
First Things First- Before You Travel to St. Lucia
It is important to clearly state that the best way to avoid contracting and spreading COVID-19 is to stay in your home. There is no arguing that fact.
Even the CDC says that ”staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick.” But mental health and even some infectious disease experts are noting that we have to find a balance between what keeps us safe physically and what provides comfort and sanity mentally.
Thomas Russo, chief of infectious diseases at the University of Buffalo, states that “It’s important for us to get out and reemerge from our caves, but we need to do so safely”.
One of the first things to do before planning a vacation to St. Lucia or any destination is to research COVID rates, safety protocols, and quarantine/isolation requirements for your chosen destination.
For example, many countries are barring or restricting travel from the United States as COVID rates continue to rise. Other countries, St. Lucia included, require proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within a week of travel to the country.
Other measures include temperature screening and questions upon arrival. These measures not only keep travelers safe, but prevent the spread of COVID-19 to St. Lucia’s hospitals and residents.
While a getaway can be just what you need to get rid of the cabin fever that comes along with a lockdown or shelter in place order, it is important when going on vacation or leaving home to take certain precautions.
For example, the CDC recommends that travelers continue exercising social distancing and wearing face masks even while traveling. Furthermore, they recommend picking up food at stores or by using drive through and curbside pickup options.
The CDC also recommends traveling only with those inside your household when possible.
This is what is referred to as a “fixed risk”, as your chances of getting sick from these individuals remains about the same.
If traveling with people outside of your household, you must realize that you are assuming a greater risk and should assess whether your travel mates are a higher risk of contracting COVID, such as the elderly or those with chronic or underlying health conditions.
Even the CDC says that ”staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick.” But mental health and even some infectious disease experts are noting that we have to find a balance between what keeps us safe physically and what provides comfort and sanity mentally.
Thomas Russo, chief of infectious diseases at the University of Buffalo, states that “It’s important for us to get out and reemerge from our caves, but we need to do so safely”.
One of the first things to do before planning a vacation to St. Lucia or any destination is to research COVID rates, safety protocols, and quarantine/isolation requirements for your chosen destination.
For example, many countries are barring or restricting travel from the United States as COVID rates continue to rise. Other countries, St. Lucia included, require proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within a week of travel to the country.
Other measures include temperature screening and questions upon arrival. These measures not only keep travelers safe, but prevent the spread of COVID-19 to St. Lucia’s hospitals and residents.
While a getaway can be just what you need to get rid of the cabin fever that comes along with a lockdown or shelter in place order, it is important when going on vacation or leaving home to take certain precautions.
For example, the CDC recommends that travelers continue exercising social distancing and wearing face masks even while traveling. Furthermore, they recommend picking up food at stores or by using drive through and curbside pickup options.
The CDC also recommends traveling only with those inside your household when possible.
This is what is referred to as a “fixed risk”, as your chances of getting sick from these individuals remains about the same.
If traveling with people outside of your household, you must realize that you are assuming a greater risk and should assess whether your travel mates are a higher risk of contracting COVID, such as the elderly or those with chronic or underlying health conditions.
The Case for Choosing a St. Lucia Airbnb
When looking at vacation accommodations, there is much to be said for renting a St. Lucia Airbnb. After all, the primary way that COVID-19 spreads is through person-to-person contact.
The same way that transmission rates are lower for individuals who rely on personal vehicles rather than public transit, staying in a single-family Airbnb can provide far less transmission risk than a hotel that caters to dozens or even hundreds of travelers every day.
Even if a hotel offers a contactless check-in experience, you have to consider that hand rails, elevator buttons, vending machines, and countless other surfaces are touched by virtually every guest, which can override the benefits of social distancing.
Another point of note is that back in April, using protocols set by a former United States Surgeon General, Airbnb introduced their “Enhanced Cleaning Initiative”.
While the new cleaning protocols are not mandatory for hosts, Airbnb makes a note on listing pages when they are in place. This helps prospective guests make sure that they are booking a property that has stringent cleaning procedures in place. Top St. Lucia Airbnb hosts work hard to meet or even exceed CDC guidelines.
While there is no way to guarantee a COVID-free rental, Airbnbs who put CDC cleaning protocols into place significantly reduce risks for guests.... a risk further reduced when hosts place a buffer between guests to ensure that the virus cannot survive on surfaces from one booking to the next.
The same way that transmission rates are lower for individuals who rely on personal vehicles rather than public transit, staying in a single-family Airbnb can provide far less transmission risk than a hotel that caters to dozens or even hundreds of travelers every day.
Even if a hotel offers a contactless check-in experience, you have to consider that hand rails, elevator buttons, vending machines, and countless other surfaces are touched by virtually every guest, which can override the benefits of social distancing.
Another point of note is that back in April, using protocols set by a former United States Surgeon General, Airbnb introduced their “Enhanced Cleaning Initiative”.
While the new cleaning protocols are not mandatory for hosts, Airbnb makes a note on listing pages when they are in place. This helps prospective guests make sure that they are booking a property that has stringent cleaning procedures in place. Top St. Lucia Airbnb hosts work hard to meet or even exceed CDC guidelines.
While there is no way to guarantee a COVID-free rental, Airbnbs who put CDC cleaning protocols into place significantly reduce risks for guests.... a risk further reduced when hosts place a buffer between guests to ensure that the virus cannot survive on surfaces from one booking to the next.
The Case for St. Lucia Hotels
While Airbnb hosts set their own standards and protocol for cleaning, hotels in St. Lucia have to adhere to mandated cleaning protocols.
Baseline protocols ensure that certain standards are met in terms of cleaning and sanitization.
While bedding and towels are washed daily and are certainly among the cleanest items in a hotel room, it is recommended that travelers bring along or purchase sanitizing products to re-clean high touch areas such as door knobs, refrigerator handles, remote controls, bathroom fixtures, phones, and light switches before touching them.
Baseline protocols ensure that certain standards are met in terms of cleaning and sanitization.
While bedding and towels are washed daily and are certainly among the cleanest items in a hotel room, it is recommended that travelers bring along or purchase sanitizing products to re-clean high touch areas such as door knobs, refrigerator handles, remote controls, bathroom fixtures, phones, and light switches before touching them.
The Bottom Line- The Right St. Lucia Airbnb Offers a Significant Safety Advantage
It is imperative to note that no property can absolutely guarantee a COVID-free environment, no matter how strictly they adhere to or exceed CDC guidelines.
With that said, however, the significantly lower foot traffic certainly gives a cleanliness and sanitization advantage to Airbnbs.
It is certainly important in the wake of COVID-19 for travelers to do their research and ensure that they are choosing a property that implements stringent cleaning protocols, but by doing so, it is possible to book a St. Lucia vacation while minimizing the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.
Bear in mind that it is still vital to wear masks and social distance when on tours or visiting beaches and attractions, but with a bit of caution, it is possible to relieve the monotony of months spent at home and enjoy your dream St. Lucia vacation.
With that said, however, the significantly lower foot traffic certainly gives a cleanliness and sanitization advantage to Airbnbs.
It is certainly important in the wake of COVID-19 for travelers to do their research and ensure that they are choosing a property that implements stringent cleaning protocols, but by doing so, it is possible to book a St. Lucia vacation while minimizing the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.
Bear in mind that it is still vital to wear masks and social distance when on tours or visiting beaches and attractions, but with a bit of caution, it is possible to relieve the monotony of months spent at home and enjoy your dream St. Lucia vacation.
