The COVID-19 pandemic has stopped almost all routine activities in the United States and abroad for a year now...probably the longest of our lives. It’s been a tough period for all of us but we must keep maintaining social distance and respecting all the measures recommended by the CDC and local authorities. 

We know that generally moving is not an easy task and it can give you some headaches just to plan it. If we add in the mix a global pandemic and the respective restrictions it definitely raises some important questions about the movements during this period. How does moving during a pandemic work, and more importantly, are moving services even still available? 

In this article we will try addressing all important questions and concerns you might have regarding the moving process in COVID times!

Is moving considered an essential activity and are moving services still available? 

For many people, moving is not easy. If the term on your lease has expired or you have already sold or bought a home that closes soon, it is important that you have access to the essential services that will help you ease the burden of moving. Although cities and states across the country have ordered the suspension of “non-essential” businesses, moving is considered essential and service providers are currently operating in all states. 

There have not been any notable disruptions of service among the majority of moving companies but decisions about closures may vary depending on each company. If you have a scheduled moving date and haven’t received any notices regarding potential changes, you can relax and assume that your move is still happening as planned. Still, we advise to call just to confirm. 

If you haven’t scheduled any moving services, it’s hard to predict what will and will not be available in the months to come. For now, it’s safe to say that these services are available and they are in fact a safe option if you have concerns about exposure. 

Note that the scope of non-essential business varies from state to state and, in some cases, from local and regional governments. It is important to investigate as orders may vary from region to region. However, in states that are under lockdown, moving services are still considered important and remain active.

Preparing for your move during the pandemic

First of all, it is pretty important to have a plan for your move, more so if you’re planning to do this during a pandemic. You make sure that you have the right supplies (since you can’t be taking too many trips to the store), and to make sure you allow yourself enough time to pack and be prepared for your move.

To this extent, it’s good to keep the following steps in mind:

Contact your moving service

It’s important to confirm your reservation and discuss best practices before the moving day. The majority of moving companies are making a lot of effort to help protect their clients, and it helps to be on the same page as them in terms of what is expected.

Buy all your supplies in one take

You’re probably not too keen on going to the store too often, so you might want to get it right with just one trip. Make sure you make a list with all the things you’re going to need for your move. Try to estimate what you’ll need based on the number of rooms and people in your house. Of course, when in doubt, buy extra.

It always helps to clean as you pack

Unless you’re the embodiment of Monica from FRIENDS, you probably don’t sanitize and regularly clean every object in your house. Why not use this opportunity to sanitize your belongings, wiping everything down with disinfectant as you pack them away. It will save a lot of time when you unpack and want to have everything nice and shiny for your new place.

Finish packing ahead of the moving day

Considering that the coronavirus can last a long time on surfaces (up to 24 hours on cardboard boxes) it would be a good idea to have your boxes packed and left untouched at least a day before the actual moving process begins. Movers will be wearing gloves, and we advise that so do you while packing, but some extra safety never hurts.

A few tips for moving during this period

Moving during this period can certainly be tricky. This is unprecedented territory  which leaves everyone with more than one question in their minds regarding what’s the best course of action when planning to move. The American Moving & Storage Association has provided a helpful guide for ensuring that your move can go as smoothly as possible. Some of the key aspects are:

• Follow CDC guidelines for the health and safety of you, your family and the movers involved
• Notify movers ahead of time if anyone in your household is sick or has been in contact with someone currently infected
• Feel free to ask questions regarding how your moving company is dealing with the health risks of COVID-19.
• Ask if they can provide virtual estimates, rather than in-home
• Ideally, provide your moving crew access to a sink, soap, and paper towels throughout your move.
• Purchase new moving boxes and tape and don’t go for recycled boxes from online sources, or from stores, however tempting that may be.
• Consider donating shelf-stable food you plan to throw out to lighten your load
• Consider doing a serious cleaning session in your new home before starting to unpack

How are Moving Companies Keeping Their Clients Safe?

The majority of companies have taken serious steps to ensure safety of both clients and movers, such as:

• Following federal and local guidelines around social distancing and sanitization
• Providing estimates online
• Frequently sanitizing trucks and equipment
• Practicing social distancing
• Wearing masks and gloves
• Keeping trucks stocked with hand sanitizer

All of these practices help ensure that moving services can remain available in a safe way. Moving is never easy, but with the right help it can be stress-free! So if you have to move during this period, taking all the precautions and having good communication with your movers will definitely be a win!

About the Author

Michaela Smith is the marketing director of Empire Movers, a trusted company in the NYC moving & storage services, member of the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA). Empire Movers® is fully licensed and insured.