Moving In Times Of Corona

It’s important to remember that even during a pandemic, moving companies are still going to be operating—for the most part. Yes, some companies will be closed due to the high risk of spreading the disease. You should double-check with your relocation company to make sure they aren’t closed before you sign any contracts, but if they are open, you should contact them to set up your move.

Now that you’ve confirmed your moving company is still open for business, you’ll want to make sure that it is safe to use. The best way to do this is to check their website and social media accounts to make sure there are no cancellations or delays. If the company is open for business, you’ll want to then check and make sure it is licensed by the government to operate.

A sad reality is that the CDC and the WHO aren’t all that specific with their guidelines for when you can move. While there are a lot of red tapes involved in moving during a pandemic, there are a few things to take into account when deciding on your move.

How many people are in your household? Moving during a pandemic isn’t necessarily the most fun thing to do even when the world isn’t on the verge of a global outbreak, but it’s not going to be fun when there’s a high chance of you coming in contact with someone with the virus. If you have a small household though—say, just you—then you’re in luck.

The first thing to do when considering relocating during a pandemic is to assess your current situation. This can be as simple as asking yourself a few questions: Health experts agree that one of the biggest ways you could affect others during a pandemic is through the spread of germs. Foods, plants, furniture, and other common objects you brought into your home could all harbour potentially dangerous viruses and bacteria. And while you can’t control most of the objects that come into your home, you can control how and where you live—for example, by moving to an area with a better water supply, like bottled water or filtration systems.

 

If you’ve hired a moving company, all of that work is done for you. If you’re DIY-ing, here’s a checklist of things you should consider taking care of:

• Talk to your landlord about how to safely turn in your keys and collect your security deposit
• Get in touch with your new landlord about arranging for your move in.
• Ensure your vehicle can safely transport your belongings.
• Make sure you have enough space in your vehicle to fit your belongings.
• Ensure you have a plan for what to do with your pets.
• Talk to an expert about how to safely dispose of any potentially contaminated items (this includes your mattress!).
• Get copies of important documents and label where you’re keeping them.
• Create a moving list.
• Talk to your medical provider about the best way to treat or prevent the spread of the virus.
• Get ready to sanitize your new home

 

 

With that in mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself as you pack and prepare your belongings for the big day:

 

• Do I have the right supplies for social distancing?
• Do I have enough boxes?
• Do I have enough tape? (If you’re planning a DIY move, do you have enough extra tape to take care of any mishaps?)
• Do I have enough paper?
• What about hand sanitiser?

 

As you can see, the number of questions might seem overwhelming, but they’re all designed to keep you from any potential risk areas around your home.

 

Consider the Source

It’s sometimes hard to know whether or not to believe certain news stories or bloggers. During times of crisis (or not-so-crisis, as the case may be), you must consider the source of what you’re reading.

 

Here are some more steps you can take to better plan for your move during the coronavirus:

• Make sure you have all the supplies you could need for the move (you can’t rely on stores to be open)
• Make sure that you can access your current and new homes to post signs and drop off keys
• Start packing early to ensure you have plenty of time for the move
• Arrange for an alternative form of transportation for the day of your move (so you don’t have to travel)
• Get familiar with social distancing techniques and practice before the big day
• Are you planning on moving during the coronavirus? What do you think it will do to your move day?