From March to April, corona-virus cases have gone up around 25% in America. Why the sudden rise in cases? Experts think that since more Americans are moving, it’s become easier for the virus to spread. It’s also believed that pandemic fatigue could be causing some people to loosen up health precautions. You might be wondering, “Is moving considered essential during coronavirus?”. While the answer is yes, it’s completely up to you to make the move safely. Don’t let pandemic fatigue put your health at risk.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about safely moving during coronavirus.
1. Find the Right Company
First on our list of tips for moving during coronavirus, let’s talk about the things you can do before your move begins. The biggest hurdle in moving is choosing the right moving company to work for you. Instead of hiring the first company you come across, take your time to do a little bit of research.
We find that getting referrals from friends and family members is a great way to ensure you find a quality company. However, referrals aren’t enough. Next, take your research a little bit further by doing a quick online search of the moving company you’re considering using. Read a few customer reviews to get up a good feel for what the customer experience’s like. Be sure to read recent reviews, rather than outdated ones. Reading a review from 5 years ago isn’t going to give you a fair assessment of how the company operates in the COVID era.
After finding a company that you think you want to work with, check out their COVID-19 procedures. In today’s world, it’s common for moving companies to list their safety and health precautions directly on their website. If you don’t see any notices or alerts on the moving company’s website that pertain to covert precautions, that’s a red flag. It could mean that the company isn’t taking the proper steps to keep their customers, and employees safe.
A lack of listed precautions could also mean that the company doesn’t care about updating its website.
If a moving company doesn’t have the time to update their website to enhance the customer experience, are they the people you want working for you?
2. Get a Virtual Quote
Moving on, the next step in moving during coronavirus is to get a moving quote. Instead of having a mover visit your home in person, it’s a lot safer to do the entire quoting process virtually. You can use the online estimator to go through each room in your house, some type of video chat app. Of course, every moving company will have its particular way of doing the virtual coding process.
While some companies may have their video chat app, others might use video conferencing services like Zoom.
Here are a few tips for getting the most successful virtual quote
- Charge your electronic device fully
- Ensure you have a strong Wi-Fi signal
- Turn on all of the lights in your house
- Open all doors ahead of time
- Have a tape measure with you
- Have a notebook with you
After you get your first virtual quote, don’t stop there! The moving industry is highly competitive, and it’ll be worth your while to do a little bit of price shopping.
You can use the first quote you get as leverage as you begin more quotes from local movers when you’re getting your second quote.
For instance, let’s say you get a moving quote from a second company and it’s substantially higher than the first quote. Let the second company know that you have a competitive offer, and would like to know what they can do to match it.
3. Price Shopping vs Feature Shopping
If the moving company is unable to lower their price, they should at least be able to explain why their services cost more. Perhaps they’re providing you with some extra type of property coverage, or convenience that the first company doesn’t offer. In some cases, price won’t be the main thing that matters. For instance, if you need to move a lot of items fragile items from an expensive art collection, it’ll be worth paying more to hire a company that specializes in moving art pieces.
Instead of simply price shopping, always be weighing the features and benefits that each moving company has to offer. In the end, the price will probably be the main thing that ways that sways your decision.
However, it shouldn’t be the only one. Next, let’s look at the best tip for out-of-state moving during coronavirus.
4. Out of State Moving During Coronavirus
How will you be traveling to your new home? If you plan on flying, you’ll want to know the top COVID-19 precautions to take before boarding your flight. For starters, it’s always a good idea to get vaccinated before doing any type of travel. If you’re eligible for vaccination, go ahead and get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.
Next, wait at least two weeks after your second vaccine dose before you travel. It’ll take time for your body to build up protection after any type of vaccination, and the COVID vaccine is no exception. Once the antibodies build up in your system, you’ll be in the best position to travel.
5. At-Risk Group
Next, certain adults are considered to be in high-risk groups for becoming severely ill from COVID. For instance, older adults above the age of 65 are more likely to experience severe complications after catching the coronavirus. Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as breathing problems, are also in the high-risk group.
If you’re at an increased risk for severe illness, you’ll need to be extra vigilant when it comes to protecting yourself against the virus. In addition to getting vaccinated, maintain all social distancing precautions and wash your hands frequently. You might also want to consider making travel arrangements that limit your interactions with others. For instance, perhaps you and a family member can travel to your new home by car, rather than plane.
Another precaution at-risk individuals can take is to make their move as contact-less as possible. Talk to the moving company you’re considering using to find out what type of contactless options they have available. In addition to getting a virtual quote, the company might also offer other services, such as special scheduling or ways of communicating.
Next, limit your non-essential activities as much as possible before, during, and after your move. Instead of eating out, try ordering food to go so you can eat it from the safety of your home.
Do you live with somebody that falls under the high-risk group category? If you’re going to come in contact with someone who could become severely ill from COVID, avoid visiting them after you travel. You can spread the virus to anyone, even if you don’t have any symptoms.
6. Testing and Travel
Were you fully vaccinated? If yes, the CDC doesn’t require you to get tested before or after your trip within the United States. You also don’t have to get tested for the coronavirus after returning from a quarantine. This can be a big help when you’re moving to a new city or state.
Not having to get tested for the virus can be a major convenience when you’re moving to a new state. Instead of having to worry about finding a testing site, and waiting for your results, you can focus on moving into your new home.
Are you planning on making an international move? Again, you won’t need to get tested before your trip, unless it’s required at the place you’re landing. If you plan on coming back to the United States to visit friends or family, you will need to get tested within three days before you arrive.
We suggest getting tested 3 to 5 days after your trip is complete. Since you are vaccinated, you won’t have to complete any type of quarantine when you return home. However, remember, the vaccine is still new and there’s a lot left to be learned about it. It’s possible that you could still get the virus, even if you’re fully vaccinated.
After traveling to any location, whether within or outside the United States, pay attention to any signs of symptoms. If you develop any coronavirus-like symptoms, stay home, and call the doctor.
7. Unvaccinated People
If you haven’t completed your coronavirus vaccination and you’re moving out of state, you might need to get tested. The CDC suggests getting tested for the coronavirus 1 to 3 days before your trip. You might have to delay your travel if you’re still waiting for the test results.
Once you get a copy of your negative test results, keep them with you at all times. You may also need to repeat the test 3 to 5 days after your trip. That means after you arrive in your new home state, schedule a test and take it within 3 to 5 days.
Even if you wind up testing negative, try to limit your nonessential activities for at least seven days. If you don’t plan on getting tested after your trip, limit your nonessential activities for up to 10 days. If at any time you wind up testing positive, stay home and call a doctor.
Make a Safe Move
Now that you know some of the best safety precautions to take, you can make your move with confidence. Whether you’re moving across town or to a new state, safely moving during coronavirus is all about planning.
Go ahead and start looking for moving companies today that can provide you with a virtual quote. Remember to not just price shop, but also compare features and benefits that each moving company has to offer. For more ways to stay safe, read another guide.
Also read: 8 Top Reasons You Should Always Hire Professional Mover
