Airbnb decides to ban bookings in the U.K. after all

Airbnb has temporarily halted bookings on the platform in the U.K., except for key workers and those with "essential stays."

The closure of bookings until at least April 18 has yet to be extended to other countries.

The decision comes just days after the company said it would be relying on hosts to ensure guests were not contravening government guidance on non-essential travel.

Patrick Robinson, director of public policy at Airbnb, says in a statement: "Hosts across the UK are playing a vital role in housing NHS and other medical staff as they continue their critical work. We’ve also heard from hosts who want to help others follow the rules and keep people safe during these unprecedented times.

"Restricting bookings on Airbnb to key workers and other essential stays will allow hosts to continue supporting frontline workers while following government guidance."

Airbnb had previously taken a number of steps to support measures where travel restrictions have been put in place, including blocking private room bookings and disabling its "Instant Book" function for whole properties.

The booking restriction for the U.K. comes into force today (April 9).

Airbnb says it will review the temporary block on calendars "in line with the government's guidance and on a regular basis after that."

The U.K. government put a ban on all non-essential travel in the country, essentially a lockdown for all citizens, on March 23.

The issue came to light in the U.K. earlier this week when a leading politician, Liz Saville-Roberts from Welsh political party, Plaid Cymru, criticized Airbnb for "facilitating the dangerous and selfish behaviour of a small but significant number of people that are ignoring the advice" of government to stay at home.

Saville-Roberts added: "This multi-million-pound international company must immediately stop bookings during the crisis, particularly in the run-up to the Easter weekend.

"Rural communities do not have the healthcare and medical supplies to cope with a huge influx in holidaymakers. Local people are increasingly concerned and angry, this simply cannot continue.