Tips for Moving During COVID-19
Moving at any time can feel overwhelming, but moving during a pandemic brings even more things to consider and do in order to keep our loved ones safe. Read on for our top tips for moving during COVID-19.
Let’s start with who you hire or enlist to help move.
Gone are the days when we could send out a mass text to all of our friends asking for a large group to help move. It’s important to adhere to CDC guidelines and try to keep your moving crew to a small number of people. That means maybe only a few friends and a trusted moving company.
If you do decide to hire a moving company, make sure they’re not only reputable, but also taking proper precautions to keep you and your family safe and healthy. A simple question about their protocols should answer how they’re handling the pandemic and what steps they’re taking to keep you safe.
Note that plenty of moving companies can give you a quote virtually so they can minimize the amount of time they spend in your home and around you.
Some things to ask of your friends and/or moving company while moving:
- Everyone wears a mask
- Follow social distancing guidelines and stay 6 feet apart as often as possible
- Work in shifts to allow for more social distancing
- Sanitize often (it’s a great idea for you to be the one to provide the hand sanitizer!)
- Disinfect often (bring your disinfectant of choice)
- Keep soap in the bathroom – ensure it’s one of the last things you pack up and one of the first you unpack
- Stay home if you’re feeling sick. Any type of physical activity can make a sickness even worse, and if anyone is feeling sick the day of the move, ask them to stay home. It’s easier to find a replacement than to get over the virus!
What about appraisals and inspections?
Even if your state is in lockdown, it’s still possible to get an appraisal and home inspection. There are a number of alternative appraisal methods, including exterior only and even virtual. When it comes to inspections, you’ll likely still need to conduct it the old fashioned way, but make sure you and the inspector are adhering to CDC guidelines. Wear a mask around them and ask them to wear a mask as well. It’s always a good idea to stay out of their way, but if you do need to be in the home while they’re there, maintain your distance. Open all doors and turn on all lights so they can minimize their contact as much as possible. Have the hand sanitizer ready for both of you once finished.
If you’re sanitizing your boxes
While it’s not the main way that the virus spreads, it’s still possible to catch it from touching infected surfaces and then touching your eyes or mouth. To be extra cautious, you may choose to sanitize your boxes and items before you begin unpacking.
If so, send your packed boxes to your new home a few days before you move in or begin unpacking. If this isn’t an option, you can place them in a storage unit for a few days. “Quarantining” your boxes may help lessen the odds of spreading the virus via surfaces.
Use disinfectant spray or wipes on your boxes before unpacking, or at least sanitize in between each box. Then get rid of the boxes after you unpack, rather than keeping them for future use.
Moving during a pandemic may not be ideal, but it’s not impossible! Just take a few extra precautions and be flexible. Stay safe out there!