ATHENS – With short-term rentals shut down in Greece during the COVID-19 lockdown aimed at preventing the spread of the Coronavirus, Airbnb said it would provide housing to 500 first-line responders in the health care sector, but at a cost.

The collaboration was announced with Greece’s National Public Health Organization (EODY) to provide doctors and medical staff with secure accommodation in the country, said Greek Travel Pages Headlines.

Through the global initiative, Greek hosts have already offered 500 places to stay.

“Doctors and first responders provide vital support during this pandemic and we want to help them,” said Valentina Reino, Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy & Campaign in Italy and Southeast Europe. “We are happy that the program has been strengthened in Greece as well,” she said.

To make it easier for doctors and medical staff to find accommodation while they deal with fighting Covid-19, Airbnb has launched cooperations with businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies. If hosts are not able to host for free, Airbnb will waive booking fees.

“We embrace Airbnb’s offer and incorporate it into the effort we are all making together as a society to join forces and support all those working on the frontline, in a spirit of heroism and self-denial, to tackle the pandemic in our country,” EODY President Panagiotis Arkoumaneas said.

The dealis part of a global plan to provide housing for 100,000 first responders and recognizes the risks they take in trying to prevent the spread of the virus, which has also taken its roll among doctors, nurses, hospital workers and others in the sector.

“The health and safety of the Airbnb community is a key priority for Airbnb,” the company said, adding that Greek hosts participating in the program must agree to the applicable safety and hygiene guidelines of EODY too.