Yarra Ranges Council is pleased that short term accommodation providers, such as Airbnb, have changed their policy to not allow hosts to promote their premises in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council wrote to the Federal and State Governments on 7 April asking that they direct short term accommodation providers to stop the promotion of self-isolation packages.
The promotion of the packages from websites such as Airbnb posed a risk to the community and the healthcare system, and didn't support the current direction from State and Federal Governments to 'stay at home'.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Richard Higgins, said there were only four reasons for people leave their homes under the current restrictions.
"The only reasons that people should be moving around right now are for work and education, medical care, shopping for essentials or for physical exercise," said Cr Higgins.
"Advertisements promoting unnecessary movement throughout Yarra Ranges have caused high levels of anxiety and anger amongst our residents who live near popular short term rentals.
"Enabling this kind of activity confuses and undermines government messaging."
Anyone concerned about people or businesses breaking the current lockdown rules should phone the Department of Health and Human Services hotline, on 1800 675 398.
