Airbnb to stop offering refunds to hosts or guests that contract COVID-19

Source: Airbnb

Airbnb bookings made on or after May 31 will no longer be eligible for refunds related to COVID-19 issues. Instead, the standard cancellation policy will apply to cases where a host or guest gets COVID-19. According to that policy, nearly two-thirds of active offer policies allow guests to cancel up to five days (under the moderate policy) or up to 24 hours before check-in (under the flexible policy). Those who reserve before that date may still be eligible for the COVID-19-linked refund if they meet Airbnb's terms.

The only exceptions for domestic reservations are in South Korea and mainland China. The company said it will still offer refunds for some COVID-19-related circumstances for the foreseeable future. The pandemic isn't over, but it's unsurprising for Airbnb to make this move. The company and others in the travel industry have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. Airbnb laid off 25% of its workforce, and it looks like it wants to get back to business as usual.

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Spotify to label podcasts discussing COVID-19

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Spotify is finally responding to criticism of how it handles the controversial COVID-19 content in the Joe Rogan Experience. The company said it would add COVID-19 content advisories to podcasts, and that advisory will lead to Spotify's COVID-19 hub, hosting credible and up-to-date information about the pandemic.

Spotify has also made public its COVID-19 content policy to improve transparency around the issue's treatment. The Verge got a copy of the policy ahead of the platform's release and wrote about how an internal memo showed that Joe Rogan's podcast didn't "meet the threshold for removal."

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CES 2022 to end a day early amid COVID-19 surge

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We have been reporting about different companies opting out of making an in-person appearance at CES this week. And a few days before the event kicks off, the organizer Consumer Technology Association announced that CES 2022 will now close a day early, meaning it'll run from January 5 to 7. The move is "an additional safety measure to the current health protocols that have been put in place." As usual, January 3 and 4 are the media-only days for the event, when press conferences and keynotes will happen.

Some of the protocols for the event include masks and proof of vaccination. The CTA also recently announced it would provide Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 tests at badge pickup. Attendees are asked to complete a rapid test 24 hours before entering a CES venue. Those who experience symptoms while at the venues are advised to report to a first aid station for testing. Attendees must also provide PCR tests by their destination before departure from Las Vegas.

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Apple closes 3 stores in North America amid COVID-19 surge

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Apple stores in the US and Canada have been temporarily shuttered because of increasing COVID-19 exposure and outbreak among employees. Shops in Ottawa (Rideau Centre), Annapolis (Annapolis Mall), and Miami (Brickell City Centre) will remain closed until either December 18 or 19. It is unclear how many staff contracted the virus. Apple reiterated in a statement to Bloomberg that it "regularly monitor[s]" the pandemic conditions and has a "comprehensive" store safety initiative that includes daily health checks, paid sick leave, masks, and extra cleaning. The employees will be tested before they can return to work.

As Engadget noted, the closures remind us of the ongoing risks that retail staff at many stores are exposed to. They can't exactly avoid sick customers. And while stores can help minimize risks, they can't completely avoid it given the rising infection rates.