Contents
- The dos and don’ts of moving during Covid-19
- Do check the community transmission rate in your area
- Don’t overlook your individual risk factors and comfort level
- Do ask movers what they’re doing to mitigate Coronavirus health risks
- Don’t forget to wash your hands
- Do check the CDC’s current recommendations
- Don’t borrow moving boxes and supplies from unknown individuals
- Do delay or change your move date if you become sick
- Moving soon?
The Dos and Don’ts of Moving During Covid-19
Planning to relocate during the pandemic? While Covid-19 continues to cause plenty of disruptions, it hasn’t stopped people from moving. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, 8.9 million people have relocated to a new home since the beginning of the pandemic – and that number continues to grow. If you’re one of the millions of people planning to move this year, we recommend taking certain precautions, and using some good old common sense, to stay healthy and safe. This is especially true given the recent rise of the Delta variant throughout the country. Need guidance on what to do and what not to do when moving during Covid-19? Here are several dos and don’ts to keep in mind as you navigate a move in 2021 and beyond.
The dos and don’ts of moving during Covid-19
Do check the community transmission rate in your area
From face-to-face time with Realtors to in-person interviews with movers, the moving process often involves some degree of social interaction. Depending on the transmission rate and vaccination rate in your area, this could be risky. Before you move, it’s always a good idea to check the transmission rate in your county. Knowing the current risk in your specific locale can help you determine what kind of precautions (if any) should be taken during the moving process. To check your local transmission rate, check out the CDC’s Covid Data Tracker. The data tracker provides information on cases, testing, deaths, vaccinations and hospitalizations in your area.
Don’t overlook your individual risk factors and comfort level
It’s a good idea to assess your risk and that of your family’s before planning your move. According to the CDC, those with an increased risk for severe Covid-19 illness and complications include people with underlying medical conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, diagnosed diabetes, and obesity. Pregnant women also fall into the high-risk category. Unvaccinated individuals, including children under the age of 12 who do not have access to a vaccine, are also at risk. After assessing whether you have any high-risk individuals in your household, it’s also important to determine your comfort level. For instance, are you comfortable with the risk of having movers inside your home? If so, would you prefer for them to wear masks or practice other preventative measures? Determining your comfort level will make it easier to figure out how you want to move.
When moving during the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s perfectly appropriate to inquire about any employee protocols and preventative measures they are currently taking. Keep in mind that some moving companies may be more cautious than others. Movers may volunteer their vaccination status – or they may not. They may also be taking certain steps to mitigate Coronavirus health risks, including social distancing, hand hygiene and mask wearing.
Don’t forget to wash your hands
Speaking of precautions, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands. Not only does this prevent Covid-19 from spreading, but it also keeps other nasty germs and viruses from infecting you and your family. This is especially important when moving during the winter when viruses, such as flu, RSV and Croup, run rampant. As you wash your hands, be sure to scrub them with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds to properly kill the germs. We recommend leaving hand soap and hand sanitizer by the kitchen sink and bathroom sinks for you and the movers to use. It’s also a good idea to request that movers wash their hands before touching high-touch surfaces (think: doorknobs).
Do check the CDC’s current recommendations
So, how cautious should you be when interacting with a moving company – or anyone during the moving process, for that matter? For guidance, we recommend checking the CDC’s recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals. Currently, the CDC recommends wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of high transmission. Fully vaccinated people who come into contact with a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case should also be tested three to five days after exposure. The CDC’s guidance for fully vaccinated individuals also states that people may resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before and after traveling. They also do not need to self-quarantine, which should make moving to a new city or state easier. Keep in mind, these recommendations may change depending on the latest data.
Don’t borrow moving boxes and supplies from unknown individuals
While borrowing moving boxes and supplies from family or friends is a great way to save money on your move, it might not be a great idea during a pandemic. For those that are particularly Covid-cautious, we recommend assessing the risk before obtaining used boxes and supplies. For instance, if you know a family member is unvaccinated and isn’t being as cautious as you’d like, then it’s probably not a great idea to take their supplies. If the transmission rate is high in your area, then it might not be a good time to obtain boxes from online marketplaces and strangers. Need help finding boxes? Here’s our list for where to buy them.
Do delay or change your move date if you become sick
When moving during the Coronavirus pandemic, do delay or change your move date if you become ill with Covid-19. It is not a good idea to expose movers and others involved in the moving process to Covid-19. If you feel symptoms start to develop or know you were exposed to the Coronavirus, we recommend getting tested as soon as possible. The best way to avoid spreading the illness to other people is to self-quarantine. If you must come into contact with other people while you are sick, wear a mask.
Moving soon?
If you aren’t comfortable with movers spending more time than necessary inside your home, consider asking them for a virtual survey as opposed to an in-person survey. This should be a Covid-safe way to get an estimate from moving companies. To find a reliable moving company, check our extensive network of movers. We make it easy to find and book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!