MOVING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has disrupted daily life in Canada and around the world. And, while social distancing is the best course of action until you’re told otherwise, moves don’t always wait. But how does moving work in the event of a pandemic, and more importantly, are moving facilities still available?

To make the process as stress-free as possible, we’ve outlined some of the most common concerns about traveling during the pandemic below. We’ll also go through some of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations for keeping yourself and others healthy during your move.

What is COVID-19?

The COVID-19 virus is a new virus in the same family as other viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and some common colds.

COVID-19 is a new strain of a group of coronaviruses circulating in both animals and humans rather than the first coronavirus. It is highly contagious and spreads from person to person through droplets from the nose or mouth, so social distancing is critical. As of the publication date, there have been more than 1.31M cases and more than 24,804 deaths of COVID-19 in Canada.

What is Social Distancing?

One of the most effective protection against the spread of COVID-19 is social distancing, also known as “physical distancing.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, proper social distancing steps include:

• Stay six feet away from other people, aside from those whom you live with
• Do not gather in groups
• Avoid mass gatherings and crowded areas

The chance of coming into contact with COVID-19 droplets is reduced by limiting near contact with anyone outside of your immediate household. These precautions are especially necessary for light of the fact that many COVID-19 carriers are asymptomatic, which means they are carrying — and possibly spreading — the virus without even realizing it.

Is Moving Essential?

Moving date is not flexible for many people. If your lease is coming to an end, or you recently sold or purchased a home with a closing date approaching, it’s vital that you have access to the critical resources that will enable you to move.

Consider delaying your move if you have the option, particularly if you’re in a high-risk community. If you can’t postpone your move but are worried about visibility, moving with your vehicle or a rental truck could be an option, as long as you can lift and hold all of your belongings.

Are our Moving Services Still Available?

Yes, at this time. There have been no significant service shutdowns among major moving companies. However, company owners will be able to make their own decisions about closures. If you’ve already arranged your transfer and haven’t heard anything, presume your moving company is still available unless otherwise advised, but call to confirm.

Can I Still Rent a Moving Truck?

Major truck rental companies are still in business, as they are deemed essential for transportation and personal mobility. You choose the best moving company in Canada, like Moving Downtown for truck rental.

Should I Move During COVID-19?

However, if you have some flexibility in your moving date, you should wait until social distancing measures have been removed before relocating.

I’m Not Feeling Well; what should I Do?

The first thing you can do is inform your moving company of your impending relocation. The moving company must be aware of the possible danger to their employees so that they can change the sanitization and social isolation steps they’ve already implemented.

When packing, use a mask and gloves, and sanitize any things that your movers may be handled directly. Boxing should be completed at least 24 hours before your movers arrive, and boxes should be stored in a closed space. Keep as far away as possible from your movers, and continue to wear your mask and gloves.

Contact your movers

It’s critical to confirm your reservation and review moving day best practices at this time. Moving services put in many precautions to protect their customers, and it helps to be on the same page as them when it comes to expectations.

Important Tips for Moving During the Coronavirus Pandemic

You are not alone if you are unsure about moving protocols during the coronavirus lockout. This is uncharted terrain that necessitates adhering to WHO and CDC recommendations. Here are several pointers to help you pass as quickly as possible through the pandemic.

• If you or someone in your family is having coronavirus symptoms, notify your mover right away. Transparency is critical to ensuring everyone’s safety. In certain instances, the movers will continue to work with you, but they will implement additional safeguards to protect their employees.
• Provide cleaning supplies for your movers. Be sure to leave supplies out for your movers to use when transporting your belongings to and from the moving truck to help them meet proper hygiene practices. This includes soap and paper towels by the sink, as well as a hand sanitizer by the door they’ll be using to enter and leave.
• Don’t use repurposed or free moving boxes. Since the coronavirus can survive for up to 24 hours on cardboard, now is not the time to pick up free moving supplies from places that recycle them.
• If you’re in a high-risk group, you can postpone your transfer if at all possible. If at all possible, people over 60 and those with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular problems should avoid driving. If you have some flexibility in terms of when (or if) your transition takes place, postpone it until you can transfer more securely.
• In the event that you need to report your moving services, do so as soon as possible. It is necessary to inform your movers sooner than you no longer need their service. Another reason to call your movers directly to go over the specifics is if you aren’t formally canceling your transfer yet but want to know what the process will be if you have to.
• Schedule ahead of time if you’ll be moving for your relocation. Do you need to book flights or hotels as part of your relocation? Make refundable reservations and only do business with companies that have free cancellations. Before you book, inquire about cancellation policies to avoid losing money later.

To step smartly during a pandemic, you must obey all traditional pandemic guidelines and adapt them to your situation. When driving, social distancing and sanitization criteria must be followed.

On the other hand, you will have time to prepare your home before your move and eliminate things that you no longer want or need because of your social isolation. If you plan to donate things such as garments, linens, furniture, shelf-stable non-perishables, and so on, contact the organization ahead of time to learn about their policies. While it is true that there are many people in need during this time of epidemic, getting to the nearest donation center and donating things is unlikely to be that easy (but at least you have to try and do it).