During these bizarre times of quarantine and social distancing, everything feels more complicated. As professional Northern Colorado movers, we’ve seen a huge variety of interesting circumstances, but nothing comes close to what we are witnessing now. Despite many plans being changed, there are those who still need to move. Mountain Moving is still here to serve Northern Colorado residents as an essential service to those for whom postponing a move is not an option.
There are many precautions we take and recommend to our customers in this uncertain time to minimize danger and help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our region. Keep reading for top tips for your move during the Coronavirus.
A Few Safety Precautions
Let’s examine some of the recommended moving practices:
CDC Travel Recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is trying to get people to avoid any kind of travel, while governments at all levels are asking people to stay home as much as possible. For some, following those recommendations is not an option, and professional movers are here to help. The CDC recommends you consider these factors and adjust your plans accordingly:
- The spread of COVID-19 in your destination. A move down the street is unlikely to make much of a difference in infection risk, but a move to a new area of the state or country could mean you’re increasing your infection risk. If COVID-19 is spreading relatively slowly in your area, understand that you’ll have to take extra precautions in your new locale. Keep in mind that even if you don’t get sick, you could still be infected and carrying the virus.
- Close contact between you or your travel companions and other people. The risk of developing an infection increases in crowded areas, particularly those with poor air circulation. Most public places have been shut down, and events that would gather crowds of people have been canceled. But you may find yourself in a situation where being closer than six feet to someone you haven’t already shared space with during your move. You must be prepared with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and take extra precautions in these situations.
- Risk of severe illness if infected. We know who is more susceptible to contracting a severe illness if infected with COVID-19: people over the age of 60, dealing with an autoimmune disorder, suffering from an otherwise compromised immune system, or suffering from another chronic medical condition. In most cases, these individuals will get sicker and find themselves at greater risk if they contract COVID. If you or anyone you’re moving with have some of these risk factors, it’s important that you invest in as much PPE as possible or consider alternatives to them moving with you for the time being.
- Prepare to stay home at your new location for at least two weeks. Some locations require newcomers to isolate themselves for 14 days after arriving to ensure they aren’t causing fresh infections. You’ve likely already prepared for this, but expect to find alternatives to showing up for work in your new office after you move. Even if you are an essential worker still going in for your job, you may have to isolate after you move.
Another factor noted by the CDC is the safety of those around you when you return to your home after traveling. If you’re moving and you have to make several trips, consider high-risk individuals in your home area and whether the virus is spreading more rapidly in your original location.
A Few More Helpful Tips
Moving during lockdown and shelter-in-place orders will be tricky, of course. But there are a few things you can do to make the process safer and easier with the help of professional movers.
- Try to get cleaning costs covered. See if the home seller or new landlord in your new location will forgive you the cost of professional deep clean. Doing a deep clean of your space on your own could be really difficult in the midst of a move.
- Change your address immediately. Government aid is becoming crucial to many people during the pandemic. Make sure the IRS and the local government know where you live so they can send you benefits if you’re eligible.
- Find the closest essential services. These include grocery stores, hospitals, and urgent care centers.
For more information on how we can help you move during this difficult time, contact Mountain Moving today.