Packing up and moving has always been stressful in and of itself. Moving during the coronavirus pandemic, when everyone across the nation is supposed to be staying put to lower their risk of illness.
First, If you don’t want to vacate your current home, consider staying right where you are. Then, aim to reschedule your move when the spread of the coronavirus outbreak slows, and the government lifts restrictions on movement.
Lior Rachmany, who is CEO and founder of New York’s Dumbo Moving and Storage, says, “During this crisis, many customers are postponing their moves, and some are just completely canceling them,”
“However, we’re still receiving plenty of new customers that need to move at this time.”
Below is some info on how to move safely during this pandemic.
Checklist: Before you move
1. Make sure moving is allowed in your area or building.
2. Choose car travel over air travel.
3. Carefully research your movers.
Make sure to ask all prospective movers about their COVID-19 policies and practices, and make sure to ask the following:
Do you provide virtual or digital estimates?
Are the trucks and movers equipped with hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves?
Will the truck transporting your furniture and boxes be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before your belongings are packed inside?
Will all equipment—such as hand trucks and sound blankets—be cleaned before your move?
How often are high-touch surfaces in the trucks sanitized?
What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
How are the movers ensuring employees aren’t sick? This could include taking their temperature on the day of the move and asking if anyone in their household is ill or experiencing symptoms.
These best practices don’t just apply to the movers but you as well.
4. Decluttering? Call ahead if you plan to donate.
5. Plan if you need to set up a new internet or cable service
6. Use new cardboard boxes you pack yourself.
7. Stock up on cleaning supplies for you and your movers.
Checklist: On moving day
1. Don’t involve more people than necessary.
Many moving companies reduce crew sizes to comply with guidelines to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people. Homeowners and renters should also try to reduce the number of cooks in the kitchen.
2. Time your move carefully
If possible, plan your move so that the crew drops off your belongings first, then wait at least 72 hours to move yourself or your family into your new place—by then, the virus is less likely to remain on any surfaces.
If you have to move simultaneously with your items, Weinerman suggests packing a designated “open first” box that you drop off before the rest of your items. Fill the box with essentials like disinfectant spray, paper towels, snacks, soap, toiletries, bed linens, phone chargers, and a change of clothes.
“Place the rest of your boxes away from your ‘open first box,” she says. Then, cover it in colorful tape or use colored markers to make sure it doesn’t get swallowed up in a sea of brown boxes.
To be safe, disinfect the box and the items inside when you open it.
3. Disinfect all points of contact
As you come in and out of your new and old places, you’ll need to disinfect doorknobs frequently, and cabinet pulls, along with wearing a mask and gloves. Also, keep windows open to promote airflow and circulation.
If you’re moving in or out of a multi-unit building, take extra care in common areas like the lobby or mailroom where your neighbors pass through. Don’t forget to sanitize any surfaces you touch, including elevator buttons.
Checklist: After the move
1. Wipe down your moving boxes and furniture
Even if your movers take every precaution to keep you and your belongings safe, the coronavirus can be spread by asymptomatic carriers. So, you will need to thoroughly clean and disinfect everything after the movers leave.
2. Canceling or changing your move if you’re sick
Are you feeling under the weather? Don’t think twice about canceling or postponing your move; it’s not worth putting others at risk.
Weinerman says that, In most cases, your agreement with a moving company is nonbinding, which means you can change your plans without penalty.
This is a pandemic, so all of the previous rules need to be thrown out the window,” Marklin says. “Everything needs to be viewed with heightened care and concern.”