Moving During COVID-19

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has caused widespread uncertainty for virtually every person in the world, which sounds like an exaggeration, but in this case, it’s absolutely true. The United States is not immune, as states and cities across the nation have been forced to shut down to do their part not to overwhelm hospitals and other vital sectors during this time. 

However, not all of life can completely come to a standstill. Banks, grocery stores, and other essential businesses remain open to provide people with a new normal. One activity that can’t be avoided, especially as people’s lives are altered by the effects of the virus, is moving. Many people still need to move homes, even amidst the confusion of this strange time. If you’re wondering how your moving company’s service has changed, or what it means to move during COVID-19, we’re here to help. 

Public Transportation 

First, while state lines remain open for travel, roads across the country have emptied out, leaving deserted highways and city streets. This means public transportation, such as trains and buses, have also reduced their service. 

When it comes to traveling in and out of your state for the purposes of moving, you’re still allowed to do so, but it’s important to be cautious. When stopping for gas, make sure to touch as little as possible, and to wash and/or sanitize your hands afterward, as any item that gets frequently touched leaves you at risk. Prepare in advance by bringing sanitary wipes, masks, and gloves. 

The Economy

As you know, the economy has come to a halt all across the globe. Like we mentioned, plenty of businesses are still open but in a limited capacity. Everyone must do their part, following guidelines from the CDC, to help keep their communities as safe as possible. 

If you’re fortunate enough to be working from home, you can do your part by purchasing food from local businesses, and wearing a mask in public as recommended by the CDC. This also applies for moving; when you purchase boxes, tape, and other supplies, make sure to keep a reasonable amount of room between you and others as much as you can, and try to pay with credit cards instead of cash to reduce the spread of germs. 

Moving Companies During the Pandemic

Now, let’s get down to business. If you’re here, you’re probably wondering what moving looks like in the midst of a pandemic, an unprecedented event that has affected everything in our lives. The answer is that your move can still happen as planned, but there will be changes. 

At Simple Moving Labor, we are still open during this time, as we are an essential business and have not been forced to shut down. However, this does not mean we are operating the same way we always would. Like many other companies, we have taken precautions to ensure the safety of our team and our customers. Make sure to contact your moving company before the big day to make sure they are also following safety guidelines. 

Keeping You Safe

During your move, make sure to avoid shaking hands when talking to the crew, and try to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet. If you are able to purchase or make a mask for yourself and family, we strongly recommend that you wear them during the entirety of your move. Be sure to have soap and sanitizer handy so that you can continue to practice the recommended safety measures. The recommendations are to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and to utilize sanitizer that is more than 60% alcohol.   

If someone in your family is showing symptoms of the virus, please let us know in advance. We will be flexible with you in making adjustments to ensure we continue to do our part in preventing the spread of the virus. 

In efforts to protect you, we recommend purchasing moving boxes instead of recycling them, as the coronavirus can live on cardboard for up to 72 hours. Additionally, be sure to sanitize your furniture pads and anything else you may have rented. 

As always, SML continues to make safety our #1 priority. We have, and will continue to, closely monitor the CDC updates to ensure we are making the operational adjustments to ensure your safety and the safety of our crews. We advise that you speak with our booking agents to get the latest updates to the measures we have implemented. 

During such an uncertain season, it’s vital to partner with companies you can trust. We can help. Contact us today to learn about what sets Simple Moving Labor apart as a team member in a move. We’re excited to help!