It seems everyone is holding out for the end of 2020, as if the clock striking midnight on December 31 will somehow draw the curtain on what has undoubtedly been a challenging year. But one year ending doesn’t wipe the slate clean for the next.
In 2021, we will need to maintain social distancing, we will still have restrictions on travelling, and we will still face similar challenges to those we’re dealing with now. It’s not the pep talk you’d expected, but part of our strategy to ensuring we have a better year in 2021 is to make peace with these facts, and you can read more about that here.
While we’re looking forward to summer weather and the opportunity to spend our days at the beach again, we’re not expecting New Year’s Eve to be as sparkly as it was last year.
Sydney’s NYE fireworks may not go ahead, with officials seriously considering the potential negative effects the event could have on public health and safety, should crowds gather at the harbour foreshore as they normally would.
Now, it would seem as if your backup plan to get out of the city and rent a house with friends could be impacted too, with the news Airbnb has placed a global ban on parties for the foreseeable future.
“We’re announcing a global ban on all parties and events at Airbnb listings, including a cap on occupancy at 16. This party ban applies to all future bookings on Airbnb and it will remain in effect indefinitely until further notice,” Airbnb said in a press release on August 26.
Unorthosirsed parties have always been banned on Airbnb. Prior to the pandemic, 73% of listings globally had listed parties as prohibited in their House Rules, though small, respectful parties or gatherings like baby showers and business events were allowed at the host’s discretion.
Now, though, all parties prohibited on all future bookings. No more than 16 people will be allowed in an Airbnb home, which is most relevant to those larger properties and anyone planning to rent an Airbnb with friends for New Year’s Eve in lieu of a party or event at home.
People who forgo these new rules could be banned from the Airbnb community and may even face legal action.
Airbnb says guests are, of course, welcome to book listings with friends and family to facilitate weekenders and mark celebrations like Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but that guests will have to adhere to the new rules.
“To be clear, we are not sanctioning smaller gatherings with this policy and all community members are expected to comply with local health restrictions on gatherings.”
Our advice? Keep NYE smaller this year and book a cute beach shack with just a few other mates.