Airbnb is setting aside $250 million to compensate hosts who have been affected by severe cancellations during this period of declining travel.

If a guest cancels a reservation for a check-in between 14th - 31st March due to health and safety prioritizations, Airbnb will pay the host 25% of what they would normally receive through through their cancellation policy.

This is Airbnb’s way of supporting hosts who have been receiving many cancellations due to a sharp drop in travel.

Previously, guests would receive a full refund (hosts receive nothing) should a guest make a cancellation.

“We determined that we had to allow your guests to cancel and receive a full refund—including all our fees,” Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky wrote in a letter to hosts today. “Please know this decision was not a business decision, but based on protecting public health. However, while I believe we did the right thing in prioritizing health and safety, I’m sorry that we communicated this decision to guests without consulting you—like partners should. We have heard from you and we know we could have been better partners.”