Moving can be stressful in normal times. Moving during the coronavirus pandemic can be even more challenging. Sometimes you have no choice in the timing of your move. You may have to relocate within Chattanooga or across the country for a new job. You may have just closed on a home and cannot postpone your move date. You can stay safe while moving during the COVID-19 pandemic by following a few simple tips.
Tennessee Stay at Home Orders
The state of Tennessee is under orders to stay at home through April 30, 2020. If you cannot delay your move, you will need to be sure you follow the guidelines set in place in Chattanooga and throughout the state.
Health and Safety Come First
Moving during the coronavirus pandemic will require some extra precautions to ensure the safety of you, your family, and your movers. A professional moving company will take extra steps to ensure the minimum number of people necessary help you with packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. They will also screen their crews for the virus, use hand sanitizers and wash their hands frequently, and wear masks to protect themselves and you. Before your items are unloaded and moved in, you should thoroughly clean and disinfect your new home to ensure it is a sanitized space as well.
Clean Boxes and Packing Material
If you decide to pack and move yourself, your first step should be to secure clean and unused boxes and packing material. Since the coronavirus can survive for 24 hours on cardboard surface, new unused boxes are less likely to be a concern for you.
In addition, if you purchase new moving boxes and packing material from a professional mover, you will not have to venture into a store and interact with others to gather up any used boxes they may have available. Stores throughout Chattanooga and the state of Tennessee have put into place their own restrictions regarding the number of people allowed in the store at one time as well, so buying new moving boxes and packing materials will relieve you of that additional stress.
Social Distancing
Guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the coronavirus pandemic include the need for social distancing. As the CDC states, “social distancing, also called ‘physical distancing,’ means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. To practice social or physical distancing:
- Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people
- Do not gather in groups
- Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings”
You can maintain social distancing when you are moving. Work with your moving company to coordinate how many people will be needed for your move as well as how many people will be in your home, so you can keep an appropriate distance between everyone.
Ask Questions
Real estate professionals suggest asking some relevant questions of your moving company as you prepare for moving during the coronavirus pandemic. Ask your movers about their COVID-19 policies and practices, including the following questions:
- Do you provide virtual or digital estimates?
- Are the trucks and movers equipped with hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves?
- Will the truck transporting your furniture and boxes be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before your belongings are packed inside?
- Will all equipment—such as hand trucks and sound blankets—be cleaned before your move?
- How often are high-touch surfaces in the trucks sanitized?
- What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
- How are the movers ensuring employees aren’t sick?
Plan and Monitor
Work with your moving company to plan your local or long-distance move during the coronavirus outbreak, whether you need to move within Chattanooga or across the country. Monitor the current COVID-19 situation, including the state’s orders regarding travel and movement outside the home to ensure you are remaining compliant. If at all possible, it might be wise to reschedule your move. If it is not possible to postpone your move, plan appropriately for the health and safety of all concerned.
Call Fox Moving & Storage Chattanooga When You Need to Move During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Our professional movers are ready to help you with moving during the coronavirus pandemic. We have the expertise and the experience to safely move to your new home and to store the possessions you want to keep. We also offer new, clean moving boxes and packing materials when you want to do your own packing. Call us at 423.451.8584 for a free, no-obligation quote!