By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
Fortunately, you can safely move during Covid if you just follow these four tips for a healthy move.
Moving companies are typically considered essential, and most are open for business. They are ensuring that all the crews they send out are healthy, so they are counting on you to practice good Covid hygiene. Please remember that if there is a Covid outbreak in the company, they may not have the manpower to cover all their planned moves, so flexibility on your part is key. Just like you'd grin and bear it for a snowstorm, have the same courtesy for your crew's safety.
Virtual estimates from moving companies are the norm these days anyway, so you can interview and hire a mover from an online social distance. A video call lets you walk through your house and the mover's representative on the other end can assess your needs and provide an estimate without ever coming to your home. You may need to send measurements for some pieces of furniture, but a professional mover can determine the trucks and crew you'll need via the internet.
Wear a mask. In cold weather, wear it even inside the house--there's not much air circulation in a sealed-up house so take the extra step of covering your face even around family members. If you live in a warmer climate it's not so important to wear it inside, but once the movers come make sure everybody has a mask on at all times.
Wash your hands--a lot. Use soap instead of hand sanitizer whenever possible. If you can't wash, do use hand sanitizer, but wash with soap and hot water whenever possible.
Wait for the professional movers to do their jobs--stay six feet apart, and just be patient. Resist the urge to hand the crew boxes and small pieces of furniture, and just help from a distance. It's generally best to stay out of the way even absent a pandemic and let the professionals work in peace.
It's also generally a good idea to have a new house cleaned before you move in, but with Covid it is an absolute necessity. The experts do not believe that the virus lives more than a few days on surfaces, but with new strains popping up there is no way to be sure. If you can't hire a crew to come clean before you get there, go ahead of the moving trucks armed with disinfectant, bleach, and gloves so you can ensure a virus-free environment when you do bring your family in.
States are doing their best to keep businesses running as smoothly as possible, but even essential retailers are working shorter hours. Before you pack up, make sure you can take care of the basics like grocery shopping when you get to your new home, and that prescriptions are filled before you go. You can shop online for delivery in most parts of the country now; check with grocers and apps like Instacart to find out what is available in your area.
These four simple steps will help you manage a safe, healthy, and stress-free move…if the weather holds out!
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