Moving During COVID-19

Who ever thought they might be moving during a pandemic? Did any of us ever anticipate that this could be a possibility? No, of course not. We are in uncharted waters. So, where do you start, what can you do to better protect yourself and your family during a move? How can we best navigate through these turbulent times? By using your head – that’s how!

Moving Companies are considered to be Essential Services, so they are able to continue operating and moving people. Why are they essential? Because many people still must move, they don’t have any other options. For many, leases have run out, houses have sold and they must vacate, new employees are being hired to fill job openings and are moving into or out of the area or there are possibly health reasons that dictate when a move is necessary. There are many more reasons, but I think you get the idea. Moving happens. It is one of those life events that keeps going whether we want it to or not. What was already a stressful and trying time, just got a lot more so.

So, how can you manage your move during these unpredictable and scary times? How can you stay in control to insure a successful move? Here are a few tips that can help keep you in the driver’s seat and lessen the risk:

1. Don’t panic – Recognize that you can get through this with some common sense and advance planning.
2. Contact your Moving Company – inquire what their COVID 19 Safety Procedures are. Are they temperature screening their employees, are employees sent home if they are displaying symptoms? What measures are they taking to stay safe and keep their clients safe? Note: It is difficult to wear Personal Protective gear, gloves and masks, while moving so most movers may not be masked or gloved. It is also difficult for a moving crew to maintain a 6’ distance from each other while moving furniture, so be prepared for that.
3. You may not be able to control what your movers are wearing, but you can control what you are wearing. You should always be wearing a mask and gloves while movers are in your residence.
4. Maintain the appropriate distance – 6’ from your moving team. Make it clear when they start that you expect them to maintain the proper distance from you as well.
5. Designate a bathroom for use by the moving team. Have paper towel and hand sanitizer available.
6. Have hand sanitizer available to the moving team to use on arrival, when they take breaks and on departure.
7. Have disinfectant wipes or spray available to clean surfaces, doorknobs, closet pulls, handrails, bathroom fixtures etc. when the moving team leaves.
8. Have as few family members present during the move as possible. Or, if they must remain home, do your best to keep them in a different area of the house while the move is taking place.
9. Be ready – have your boxes packed and ready to go.
10. If you can, hold off on doing any major unpacking for 24 hours. Reports say that the virus can remain active on cardboard for 24 hours, so why tempt fate if you don’t have to. If you do start to unpack, make sure to wear gloves. TIP: If you are moving locally, move over your own bedding and towels, TV cables and controls, and a box of essentials so that you can get set up for the night without having to start a major unpacking project looking for things.
11. Be diligent in your efforts to keep yourself safe and follow best practices of hand washing, social distancing and wearing a mask.

Most important….keep your sense of humor and remember that this is a new way of living. Many of these practices are already becoming our new normal, so applying them to your move is not a big stretch of the imagination. All will be well. You can do this.

Christy Urdal is owner of NextStep Transitions LLC, and a relocation and home transitions specialist in the greater Seattle area. She helps people with downsizing, move management, getting homes ready to go on the market and many other home and relocation related services. Her specialty is assisting Seniors as they transition from their lifelong residence into smaller spaces. www.nextsteptransitions.com