KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Going home for the holidays presents new dangers this year, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging people to avoid travel.
However, there are people who still plan to get in a car or on a plane to see their loved ones.
Rather than staying under the same roof as Mom and Dad, some travelers are taking advantage of short-term rental options.
"It has provided a really great opportunity for them to come here, quarantine for two weeks, continue to work from home and then safely see their family," Lance Pierce, owner of Karat Vacation Rental Management, said.
Our Scripps station in Cleveland found a similar trend unfolding. One host said 90% of her homes are booked for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"We've spoken to different guests, and a lot of them are saying the same thing. They want to be close to their families but don't necessarily want to stay with their families," Carrie McConville of Bonvoy Host said.
Staying in your own home is the best way to protect yourself and your family. But for those who choose to travel, the CDC says renting a house or cabin with people from your household is safer than staying with friends and family or at a hotel. That's because it involves fewer interactions with people from other households.
"A lot of guests are opting for Airbnbs because they have their own private entrance," Pierce said. "They're not using a shared elevator. All of the amenities are just their own."
The CDC recommends checking the rental's COVID-19 prevention practices before arrival.
As of Nov. 20, all Airbnb hosts are required to commit to an enhanced cleaning protocol, which includes ventilating rooms, washing linens on high heat and disinfecting surfaces. Hosts that do not commit to these steps risk removal from the platform.
Because of the pandemic, Pierce has seen a greater expectation from guests when it comes to cleanliness.
"We just really try to stay positive like all small businesses and really just try to listen to the consumer and what they want and try to mold our business to that," he said.
