MSP Slams AirBnB hosts for lockdown defiance
Green MSP Ross Greer has called for action after an investigation revealed that an AirBnB property in the Loch Lomond area was still being advertised for accommodation despite government instructions for them to shut.
An investigation by the Ferret investigative journalism team revealed several properties still accepting guests, an act that could see them fined up to £10,000. One of these was reported to be at an undisclosed location in the Loch Lomond area. Despite the reporter making clear that they weren’t covered by any exemptions to government restrictions, they were offered a room at £100 for a night.
Ross Greer, whose West of Scotland region covers most of Loch Lomond, commented:
“It’s totally irresponsible for an AirBnB owner to be ignoring restrictions like this. Not only is it clearly illegal, but it’s playing Russian Roulette with the lives people in communities around Loch Lomond and across Scotland. Regular hotel and B&B owners are responsibly following the lockdown, so why have some AIrBnB hosts decided to flout the rules?
“Not only does taking a trip away from home risk spreading the virus, there are specific problems with people travelling to rural areas where there’s less infrastructure and hospital beds are further away. I’m calling on AirBnB to withdraw adverts for all properties until further notice unless it is to support key workers and to send a clear message that unnecessary travel to Loch Lomond is off limits.”