Some Airbnb hosts are advertising their properties in the UK as “self-isolation retreats” during the coronavirus pandemic, a move that has been branded “incredibly irresponsible and dangerous” by the government.

Countryside listings have been calling themselves “Covid-19 retreats” that are “perfect for isolating with family”, according to research conducted by the BBC.

The latest government regulations state that all non-essential travel within the UK is banned, including staycations and people travelling to second homes.

The only Airbnb stays that are currently permitted are those of key workers who need to self-isolate, but the BBC’s investigation suggested that many hosts are not vetting potential guests.

“Our advice is clear,” said Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston of the findings.

”Essential travel does not include holidays, leisure travel and visits to second homes – and people must remain in their primary residence.

“It is incredibly irresponsible, and dangerous for some property owners to be marketing themselves as ‘isolation retreats’.”

Hosts found to be breaking the rules face fines of up to £960.

Listings that advertised themselves as self-isolation hideouts included a houseboat, cottage and castle.

“We want hosts and guests to follow the rules and we have no tolerance for listings that ignore health or travel advisories,” said an Airbnb spokesperson.

“The government has set out clear guidance on the limited conditions under which necessary travel is permitted and we have taken a number of steps to support these measures.

”Hosts in the UK are also opening their homes to NHS and other healthcare providers as part of a global initiative that has seen more than 100,000 places to stay made available so far.“

In response to the BBC’s research, Airbnb has now disabled its ‘instant book’ function to stop non-key workers from booking properties.

The home sharing site recently announced it is offering NHS workers free accommodation during the coronavirus outbreak.

Hosts on the home rental website have agreed to waive fees associated with stays at their properties to support medical staff on the frontline of the pandemic, with roughly 1,500 places already on offer.

The initiative is a local expansion of Airbnb’s global plans to help house 100,000 healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders working with Covid-19 patients.

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