Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson has welcomed an “overdue” action from Airbnb that they will no longer accept any bookings that start on or after April 18.
The local MSP has taken up many cases and complaints in recent weeks across his constituency where people were still booking and visiting popular destinations in the area.
Mr Carson says “while the announcement is welcome, it should have come a lot sooner as the virus continues to spread throughout Scotland but people were ignoring advice not to travel to rural areas to potentially self-isolate.”
Mr Carson hopes that the new measures will finally discourage anyone from travelling to the region and he says that the police should also do their bit by tackling those travelling to the region for non-essential reasons.
Commenting Finlay Carson MSP said: “This is a welcome announcement from Airbnb, cracking down on unnecessary bookings, but it is something that should have been enacted far sooner during the Covid-19 outbreak.
“I have been dealing with cases and complaints from people in my constituency concerned that people have been travelling to the area for holiday bookings, which is absolutely not in line with Government guidelines.
“As we approach the Easter weekend and beyond, I would insist that anyone thinking of coming to our rural communities, should urgently think again, in order to contain the spread of the virus.
“I also hope that our police officers, who have done an excellent job in these unprecedented times, also have a visible presence on our roads and crack down on any vehicles who are not carrying out essential travel.”
