How to Move During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States continues to grow, “shelter in place” is the increasingly common directive. Self-quarantine. #StayHome.

If you’ve given your landlord notice, signed a lease on a new place, or are in the process of selling your home and/or buying a new one, you may be able to work out an agreement that allows for flexibility. But if you have no choice but to go ahead with your move, there are a number of things you can do to keep yourself and those around you safe.

Are moving companies an essential service?

Yes, in most states and counties.

While there is no federal mandate on essential services, the CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agencies) and various governmental bodies list “transportation and logistics” as an essential service, which includes moving services. Companies like HireAHelper have updated policy and safety measures to better serve people moving during this time.

Follow COVID-19 health guidelines during a move

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (1) lays out all you need to know to protect yourself from infection, along with vital information on how the coronavirus spreads, how to keep your home clean, and much more. The World Health Organization (WHO) (2) is another critical source of information.

• Do NOT move if you are sick
• Maintain six-feet of distance between yourself and your movers at all times (they won’t be offended)
• Use new boxes, as COVID-19 can live on cardboard for 24 hours
• Wash your hands routinely with soap and water
• Make sure everyone wears disposable gloves and face coverings during the move
• Do not shake up dirty laundry and avoid stirring up dust
• Keep the area well ventilated with open windows and doors, if possible

For information specific to your state check this list of State Health Departments. (3) And AMSA, (4) the American Moving & Storage Association, offers tips for customers as well as movers.

Know your leasing rights

The National Apartment Association (NPA) has put together a list of resources for renters during COVID-19.

Beyond utilizing best safety practices for apartment complexes, it’s also important to check in with your county or state government, as some places around the country are instituting safety measures such as rent freezes or deferred payments.

Here is a running list of states with paused evictions, as of 04/01/20:

State	Evictions Paused?	State	Evictions Paused?
Alabama	No	Nebraska	No
Alaska	Partial	Nevada	No
Arizona	Yes	New Hampshire	Partial
Arkansas	No	New Jersey	Yes
California	No	New Mexico	No
Colorado	No	New York	Yes
Connecticut	No	North Carolina	Yes
Delaware	Yes	North Dakota	No
Florida	No	Ohio	No
Georgia	No	Oklahoma	No
Hawaii	Yes	Oregon	No
Idaho	No	Pennsylvania	Yes
Illinois	Yes	Rhode Island	Yes
Indiana	Yes	South Carolina	Yes
Iowa	Partial	South Dakota	No
Kansas	Yes	Tennessee	Yes
Kentucky	Yes	Texas	Yes
Louisiana	Yes	Utah	No
Maine	No	Vermont	Yes
Maryland	Partial	Virginia	Yes
Massachusetts	Yes	Washington	Yes
Michigan	Yes	Washington, D.C.	Yes
Minnesota	Yes	West Virginia	No
Mississippi	No	Wisconsin	Yes
Missouri	No	Wyoming	No
Montana	No

If it’s possible, do a DIY move

Of the three different move types, a DIY move, where you do everything yourself, is definitely the safest right now (although if you need to rent a moving truck, there are still inherent risks.)

If you hire movers, make certain they are actively safety-conscious

Movers around the country are doing their part to amp up the communication during the pandemic.

It makes sense, since it’s the health of their crews who’re working on the front-lines. We suggest any top-rated mover on HireAHelper who continues to earn 5-star reviews for people forced to move during the pandemic.

When searching for the best movers, make sure they do these things:

• Update you on their newest policies and clearly define their working hours publically
• Are open to direct communication
• Do any assessments virtually or over the phone
• Come prepared with face masks and disposable gloves
• Have health screenings for their crew members, if possible
• Be more flexible with health-related cancellations

And if your moving company needs extra help with assessing your moving needs, HirerAHelper is trained to step in and help. Remember, if anything changes health-wise for anyone in your household, communicate this to your mover right away. (They’ll do the same for you!)

Communicate a lot with your moving company leading up to your moving date

Communication is important for any move, but essential when the safety of everyone involved is on the line.

Movers on HireAHelper are instructed to keep in close communication with their customers leading up to their moving day, letting customers know all their updated policies and safety measures. Make sure you talk before and during moving day!

HireAHelper is also waiving all COVID-19 related “same-day cancellation” and “no-show” penalties for both customers and movers in an effort to reinforce safety measures. No matter where you find your movers, make absolutely sure they are flexible enough to stay safe, in case anyone becomes ill or exposed to someone ill before moving day.

Prep your place for the movers

Don’t just sit back and hope the movers are safe, pitch in to make sure everyone is safe!

• Keep as many windows and doors open as possible for proper ventilation
• Only use new cardboard boxes, do not use used boxes of unknown origin
• Don’t worry about handshakes! Communicate your commitment to social distancing ahead of time
• Having hot water, soap, paper towels, disinfectant and hand sanitizer readily available for the movers can make a huge difference
• Make sure all clothes are washed
• Keep the hot water running and soap next to the sink for yourself and anyone helping you. Use paper towels for drying your hands

Consider a moving container for added safety

At a time where we are all trying to keep distance, renting a portable container might be the best (i.e., safest) option.

Companies like PODS, 1-800-Pack-Rat and ZippyShell can drop off a container in front of your home (provided there is adequate space), leave it for you to load with all your things, then pick it up when it’s ready. There’s no close contact needed and you get your stuff moved without anyone necessarily having to touch anything!

Even if you need to hire labor to help you with your storage container, the added perk of transportation can make this a safer way to move during the pandemic. This is especially true for a long-distance move, where it minimizes the need for extra crews handling your stuff at both ends.

Deep clean your new place before you unpack anything

It’s super important that you don’t take this for granted. Make sure to wipe down all your things: your boxes, your furniture, the surfaces in your home, etc.

Follow the CDC recommendations for how to deep clean your new place, including a long list of disinfectants they say are effective in killing the coronavirus, which includes:

• Diluted household bleach
• Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol
• Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants

It’s very important that you do not go through all of the previous steps, just to stop short of making sure your new place is properly disinfected.

---

Remember that we really are all in this together – and we will get through it by staying apart. Stay safe.

Resources:

• Updating COVID-19 case tracker within the United States https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
• World Health Organization
  • https://www.who.int/
• States’ health departments
  • https://www.usa.gov/state-health
• American Moving and Storage Association Health Policy
  • https://www.moving.org/guidance-for-consumers-moving-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
• CDC disinfectant list
  • https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

To read HireAHelper’s policy updates during the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.