The Coronavirus outbreak is a serious issue and it is not something that people can and should take lightly. Everything we know about the virus could change almost daily and we all need to be informed on what we can do to flatten the curve. So maybe moving right now is not the safest thing to do but you’ve already planned for your relocation, you’ve already contacted professional movers, and this really can’t wait anymore. In the event that the move can’t be postponed, it is important that you keep yourself informed for a safe and secure move. Here are seven tips for relocating during this outbreak.

  1. Contact Your Movers

Assuming you’ve already hired movers for your relocation the first step you need to do is to contact them and make sure that the company you’re working with is safe and secure to minimize the risk of infection. Ask them for important details regarding their new policies and what measures are they taking in order to keep their employees and clients safe and healthy. It is crucial that you know what they’re doing to keep themselves safe as well as knowing what you need to do while working with them to keep yourself safe.

  1. Do Everything Virtually

Moving/relocating requires that you talk to different people, sign different papers, and interact with other people, of course that is not the case anymore. If you want to keep yourself safe during this move you need to do as many things as you can without actually meeting/talking to people face to face. Make sure that you are able to communicate the details of your move through phone calls, emails, etc. as well as signing things through fax and emails. Avoid receiving documents from outside if they could be read or signed virtually and if you do have to sign it in person make sure to maintain social distancing, wear the proper protective gear, and wash your hands with soap.

  1. Scheduling, Scheduling, & Scheduling

Another important note when contacting your movers is the details of the schedule itself. Contact the company to know how flexible they can be with regards to the schedule of your move. You will need to know how they can adjust the schedule if you’ve already planned one or what date will be the best to minimize contact as much as possible. You might want to ask about their refund policies should you decide to cancel your plans all together. These companies will do everything they can to accommodate your needs and finding a schedule that works for both you and the company is important to both parties.

  1. Double Down on Cleaning

This comes as no surprise, but it is worth mentioning. Clean everything yourself before the move, normally hiring professional cleaners to help with the move is a great idea but for now it’s best not to do that. Make sure that you are able to clean and disinfect as much as you can before the day of the move. Practice routine cleaning on various surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, electronics, etc. and pay close attention to safety precautions when using cleaning and sanitizing products.

  1. Smile and Wave

On the day of the move there’s no need for you to get up close and personal with your movers it’s not rude to not offer a handshake to them at this moment in time so please practice methods of greeting that don’t involve any contact whatsoever. What you can do is maintain a six-foot distance as your movers load and unload your belongings and don’t help them with the move, let them do it as much as possible. It is also important to have children and vulnerable members of the household in a separate room far from the movers.

  1. Practice CDC Recommended Protocols Accordingly.

This includes everything from maintaining your distance to wearing the proper protective gear to keep yourself safe. (Masks, Face Shields, etc.) Avoid touching faces and make sure to wash your hands regularly. For more information on what you can do to flatten the curve, click here.

  1. Disinfect Everything

Take a spray bottle full of soap or alcohol and start firing away at anything that came in contact with the movers, including yourself. Make sure that you disinfect everything from top to bottom and be sure that you wash your hands and clothes after. As for disposable packaging material, make sure that they don’t linger inside your new home for too long and contact your local government agency if you have any question regarding waste disposal.