For bookings after March 2020 guests know that there is a pandemic and that the rules and borders can change it anytime. It should be ba surprise to people that country borders can get closed off at anytime. As people who are running an airBNB business, the policies are there to make sure that the host does not lose money. I’ve had a couple people already who have had try to cancel the Airbnb booking the day before claiming that they have been exposed to covid.
It looks like you booked with a strict No refund policy, and also travelling internationally. As a guest you have to know the risks which traveling during a pandemic, and look the the policies hosts and companies have in place.

If you decided to travel, esp as tourist, you have to be ready for these types of scenarios. You cant just say “COVID” last minute. It is impossible for host to get another booking when people cancel last minute. It is not AirBNB who has the policies, it is actually the Host who make the policy of flexible, strict, whatever. For many people Airbnb is their livelihood. Even when Airbnb issued a global refund in 2020, Many host were left stranded without any income from guest. Airbnb can take the hit, but host can not. I can understand circumstances, but it up to the guest to review the travel restrictions, refund policies and then take the risk if they see fit.

2. The host’s short term rental cancellation policy applies. Sounds like you booked under a strict no refund policy.

Airbnb is a booking platform. Hosts control how their rentals are run. Because each rental is different, Airbnb does not control refund policies of hosts. The refund of reservations made before 3/20/20 was a one time event as everyone tried to figure out what was needed

You booked during a pandemic, knew travel restrictions were occurring, and didn’t take out travel insurance. A kind host would’ve refunded but you agreed to the no refund policy.

You made an expensive mistake.