Moving is already difficult enough without a pandemic looming over us. Now, it’s more important than ever to plan out a moving process to ensure the health and safety of ourselves and others.
While moving is tough, it doesn’t have to be dangerous or put anyone at risk. Here are three tips for moving during COVID-19 that are sure to help you feel prepared and safe as you get ready for your big move.
Be Selective When Choosing Your Movers
While it was once normal to hire multiple movers and have friends and family help you pack everything up, this is much more difficult due to social distancing guidelines. This is why it’s especially important for you to look into moving companies and their COVID-19 safety precautions. Don’t decide on a mover until you have fully looked into their new protocol and ask them what they have done to protect their employees and customers.
As you research different options, be sure to ask about their cancellation policy in case you, a family member, or a roommate begins to experience symptoms of COVID-19. Another great thing to ask moving companies for is advice on what steps you should take prior to moving day to ensure their movers’ safety. How they respond to your questions about how they have dealt with the pandemic will help you decide who you feel most comfortable hiring for your move.
Start Early
Give yourself more time to pack up your belongings than you expect to need. As soon as you decide to move, you should create a moving plan to decide on a moving day, what steps you will take until then, and how you will get rid of any belongings you don’t want to move.
The earlier you start packing and considering your moving process, the more time you will have to deal with any issues or fears that arise and ask questions. Experts also suggest you should finish packing at least 24 hours before your scheduled move to ensure that there are no traces of COVID-19 on cardboard boxes. Because COVID-19 can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours, it is also important to purchase new boxes rather than find them from donation centers.
Create an Unpacking Process
Not only is it important to create a packing and moving plan, but it is also important to consider how you will unpack once you arrive at your new home. While a moving company will typically unpack your belongings for you, you may not be comfortable with them doing that, so decide what you want to do ahead of time.
Many movers offer the option of moving your things to a storage unit, which you can then unload at your convenience. You could also choose to have your belongings delivered to your home and unpack each box on your own after disinfecting them. Talk to your movers to learn more about their delivery and unpacking options.
While moving during a pandemic isn’t easy, it isn’t impossible, either. With these tips for moving, you can protect yourself and others from spreading the virus and move to your dream home.