We’ve been forced to change our lifestyles during the last year significantly. Covid-19 has affected many businesses and individuals alike. However, moving during coronavirus has stayed possible since many states declared movers essential workers. Here’s how to relocate at this time and keep everyone safe in the process.
Is Moving During Coronavirus Even Possible? Yes, But Take Precautions
We might wonder what’s possible to do outside, but the thought, “can I move during coronavirus” probably crossed many people’s minds even during the most challenging times. The answer to that dilemma is that it’s possible to move efficiently, even during the pandemic. However, everyone who plans to do it should take precautions and wait for the perfect moment.
Waiting for the perfect time to move should be mandatory whether covid cases are high or low. Even in the case of relocating for a job and getting a deadline for it, planning the trip out perfectly and doing it at the right moment will make it more efficient and easier to handle.
If You Notice Covid-19 Symptoms at Any Point, Put the Plan to Move on Hold
The perfect moment for moving during covid-19 is the one when you’re perfectly healthy. If you start feeling off during the packing or planning phase, take a break. It could be a simple cold, but it would still mean your immune system is weakened and that increases the chances of staying ill for longer because you’re exerting yourself unnecessarily.
If you doubt that you might have Covid-19, these are the most common symptoms:
- Fever,
- Sore throat,
- Dry cough,
- Shortness of breath,
- Fatigue,
- Loss of smell and/or taste,
Everyone can experience covid differently, so symptoms don’t always manifest the same. What matters is, if you planned to move but got delayed because someone in the family got sick, consider getting tested, checking who to notify when relocating, and, if necessary, postponing the process.
Have to vs. Can – Is It Necessary to Move and Why?
Regardless of the time of year, people still need to move, and for some, relocation is a lifeline. Many people choose to relocate their elderly parents somewhere safer, with better and more responsive health facilities. Others might be essential workers needed across the country. However, whatever reasons to move you have, it’s important to define if they’re the “have to” kind or the “can” kind.
What we mean is – ask yourself questions like, “Do I have to move?” If the answer is yes, continue with asking, “Can I move and how?” If the answer is no, you can still move; just be ready for it to happen at a new period because if you don’t have to move immediately, don’t. You can also check the guidelines for domestic travel and keep up with potential changes. They could give you more questions and answers as you plan your relocation.
Watch the video below about people who moved during coronavirus and why they did it. The interesting part is that lots of them moved from a small town to a big city.
Protect Yourself Through Every Step of Moving During Covid 19
The vital things to do when moving state to state during this pandemic involve staying protected and safe according to the guidelines. That means you may not be able to say bye to friends with a massive house party or move furniture and other belongings without protective gear. Some sacrifices will have to be made no matter what, which is why having plans A, B, and C might ease the anxiety about relocating.
Don’t Think About Moving Without Masks
Face masks are essential protective gear. They could be bothersome in some situations, like if you’re relocating on a hot summer day. However, if you end up hiring movers for help, both you and the movers will have to keep face masks on throughout the packing process.
To let the workers of a relocation company provide efficient packing services, you can work on boxing up stuff in another room. While they disassemble the furniture and carry the boxes out, you can start tidying the home. Wearing masks during this time will make you feel in control and increase the chances of having a stress-free relocation at the end of the day.
Keep Hand Sanitizer Nearby at All Times
Hand sanitizers are another essential for staying protected from covid. These alcohol-based gels are sold in travel packages and bigger packs, and we recommend having both versions at your disposal.
When relocating your family to a new state, you want them to stay safe throughout the process. Now, with a virus roaming around, the stakes are increased. Make sure your kids are wearing masks and cleaning their hands after touching public surfaces. If a tap and some water and soap aren’t available nearby, the hand sanitizer will do its magic just as well.
You can disinfect appliances, couches, chairs, tables, and desks with antibacterial spray before disassembling them or wrapping them for transport. After the stuff you want to be moved is taken out, disinfect the surfaces staying in the home, like toilets, showers, bathtubs, kitchen cabinets, and door handles. It’s wise to do a deep clean of the empty home before and after the move.
Where to Find Essential Packing Materials If Moving During a Pandemic
The cheapest way to move out of state is by reusing packing materials. You won’t have to go out and buy stuff, which is great for social distancing and saving money. Additionally, if you do end up relocating at the last minute, using materials from home is sure to reduce packing hours.
Read here about the essential packing materials and how to use them:
- Boxes – you can borrow some from friends and family or use old ones sitting at home,
- Containers – baskets, plastic drawers, and anything else that’s sturdy and able to hold non-breakable objects are also reasonable packing solutions,
- Plastic wrap – securing objects with plastic wrap will keep them safe from damage,
- Blankets, towels, and cotton items – if there’s not enough plastic wrap for everything (which makes complete sense,) use blankets for bulky and wooden items. Wrap breakable things like glassware into cotton shirts and linens,
- Duct tape – this may not need an explanation; duct tape is there to secure items. There’s a bonus tip – if you have old boxes that don’t seem like they can hold a lot, layer duct tape over the bottoms to make them sturdier,
- Scissors – for cutting duct tape and getting rid of extra materials,
- Markers, pens, and stickers – stickers are optional, but you should use anything that works as a label. Labeling boxes will help with loading, unloading, and unpacking.
Movers from Relocation Companies Often Bring Their Packing Essentials
The upsides of hiring a relocation company to help you move are not having to worry about acquiring relocation essentials such as vital packing materials or a relocation truck. Companies offer these essentials to the customers as part of their relocation services policy, which is of great help if you’re stuck at home or if the entire state is in lockdown.
Their packing materials are also more professional since movers use new boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and special wrapping blankets. If you have valuables you’d rather not see breaking, maybe let the company guys do the hard work.
How to Pack Your Household Items When Relocation Starts
A checklist for moving interstate will be your greatest asset when figuring out how to move during coronavirus. Staying organized and keeping tabs on every aspect of relocation will reduce anxiety for everyone involved. Because it isn’t that safe to relocate or do much of anything nowadays, running a tight ship won’t leave room for questions.
Packing, Labeling, and Safety
When you start packing, do it room by room. Organize packing in a way that will be convenient for the people in the household; if you’re remote working during the move, pack the office last. Anything you don’t use daily or isn’t vital to everyday existence can go into the containers first.
We mentioned labeling as a crucial step, but its importance cannot be emphasized enough. Everyone involved, from the workers of the relocation company to your family members, wants this process to be finished as fast as possible. When the workers come to load the truck, they’ll know how to arrange the containers so nothing gets damaged and where to take them when unloading starts.
When you start unpacking, the safest thing to do is rinse the kitchenware, spray the furniture with antibacterial spray, and of course, clean the new house thoroughly.
Check the Company Policy on Forbidden Items
Companies have a set of rules for items they won’t move. Before you give them a packing inventory list, ask questions about their policy on forbidden objects. Typically, all relocation companies have the same rules on what not to move. Those items are:
- Flammable, corrosive, and hazardous substances – fuel, lighter fluid, and fireworks as some examples,
- Cleaning liquids – these chemicals can sometimes react to changes in the environment and cause damage to other things around them,
- Valuables, prescription drugs, and documents – they recommend you bring these with you, and so do we,
- Living things – plants and pets are your responsibility, and they should come with you.
Of course, they’ll give you a more detailed and descriptive list of things, so you don’t miss anything. The good news is that they can transport cars, since many do state-to-state car shipping, too.
Check the Availability of Relocation Companies Nearby
The easiest answer to the question of how to move during covid is hiring relocation companies. However, while they can pack a relocation truck as no amateur can and provide comfort to anyone relocating to another state alone, some of them introduced strict rules for relocating during this period.
Many workers will insist you leave the room when they’re packing or carrying things out as part of the social distancing policy. Some wouldn’t do an in-person estimate, as usual. That means you might need to give the company a virtual inventory tour so they can determine the cost of interstate moving. The rules differ for every business, so you’ll have to contact some and find out.
State to State Movers May Be Essential Workers In Your Area
Did you know that relocation companies are essential businesses for the economy? Despite that, they still experienced challenges during the pandemic and introduced alternatives to standard practices; some parts of relocation and packing could be more complicated, but they’re still up to par. In the end, if it turns out you have too much cargo, try keeping extra stuff in storage units until you need them.
This means that moving during lockdown might take longer than expected, but remember that safety is vital for everyone. As much as you worry about unknown folks coming into your house to move stuff, the workers can also feel anxious about going into different homes all the time. Everyone’s equally concerned for their health, so relocation is a delicate process.
Moving During the Pandemic Means Being More Careful and Diligent About Health
If it so happens that this is the year you are relocating for the first time, you’ll be able to tell all about the different times and experiences of today to your children. However, this isn’t just a topic for a somewhat dystopian bedtime story but also a way to introduce safety standards. It might change how we look at health and self-care, but also how relocating can be done in more efficient and healthy ways.
