Why Getting A Reservation On Airbnb In DC On Inauguration Day Will Be Impossible

Inauguration Day is one of the most highly anticipated events of 2021 but out-of-towners will have a hard time locking down Airbnb reservations in the metro D.C. area.

On Wednesday, the hospitality company announced it would block and cancel all future reservations made in the Washington, D.C., metro area for the week that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in.

The announcement comes after the company learned about violent individuals, who believe President Trump's baseless claims of voter fraud during the 2020 election, threaten to overrun the upcoming inauguration.

“[D.C.] Mayor Bowser, [Maryland] Governor Hogan and [Virginia] Governor Northam have been clear that visitors should not travel to the D.C. Metro area for the Inauguration,” Airbnb said in a statement.

“Additionally, we are aware of reports emerging yesterday afternoon regarding armed militias and known hate groups that are attempting to travel and disrupt the Inauguration.”

The reservation cancelations will also affect HotelTonight, which is owned by Airbnb.

The company has already identified several customers who participated in the Capitol riot and have since banned “numerous individuals” from using the service. Airbnb wants to “ensure hate group members are not part of the Airbnb community.”

Since the Capitol riot took place, the FBI has warned that armed protestors may storm the inauguration. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam have asked people not to travel to the area for the inauguration.

Although Airbnb has put new guidelines into place, hosts and their neighbors are encouraged to notify the company’s safety line if they believe the new restrictions have been violated.

Biden’s inauguration will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at the Capitol.