Property owners with available self-contained accommodation are offering cheaper rates to those needing to self-isolate for two weeks.
Aucklander James Punnett came up with the solution after the New Zealand Government announced that travellers risk being deported if they don’t self-isolate.
He started a Facebook page to use as a platform to bring together more than 70 hosts and about 150 people looking for quarantined accommodation nationwide.
“The challenge with hotels is you don’t have your own kitchen. If you are coming back to your flat from overseas, your flatmates are not super keen to host you and deliver food to your door,” Punnett says.
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Real Estate Institute of New Zealand chief executive Bindi Norwell says businesses are looking at ways to source additional revenue streams, including accommodation providers.
“Providing access to properties enabling people to self-isolate without infecting others, while maintaining services such as grocery or pharmacy deliveries, is exactly the sort of innovative thinking that will help businesses survive this unprecedented time,” she says.
Bachcare’s chief operating officer Shaun Fitzmaurice says Punnett’s initiative is a great way to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic's restrictions.
He says property owners listing on Bachcare are offering discounted rentals for those who are self-isolating.
“Tourism in general has seen a large influx of cancellation requests which all companies, including short-term rentals, are working hard to reply to quickly,” Fitzmaurice says.
Punnett says hosts who had cancelled bookings are happy demand has picked up again.
“It’s been really busy and we’re getting a positive response. But we are aware if the volume increases, we won’t be able to jump in and help,” he says.
Hosts thoroughly clean accommodation after use and offer food deliveries and other supplies.
An AirBnb host from Queenstown is marketing his home as ‘perfect retreat, ideal for self-isolation'.
The host is charging $200 per night for a two-bedroom home and is offering supermarket runs for extra payment.
A four-bedroom house owner from Cromwell also welcomes guests who require self-isolation and is offering help with supplies.
“Please be assured that we are already taking extra precautions with sanitising in between guests already, so those who are just holidaying and not self-isolating need not worry,” she says in the AirBnb listing.
