Relocating and Worried About New Variants? The COVID-Cautious Moving Guide

COVID-19 has uprooted and changed the idea of what was once known as “normal.” Everything from going to the grocery store to eating in a restaurant comes with a greater threat than before. For those relocating to a new city or state, the dangers of infection have made an already stressful task even more draining and risky, as new variants hide around every corner. 

For example, you may be moving to a state with lower overall rates but a higher risk of transmission. Or maybe you’re relocating to a city with limited precautions in place. Regardless, staying on top of risk management could be a taxing responsibility—but it’s one worth prioritizing to stay ahead of new variants. 

So, how can you minimize risk when relocating? Here are a few tips to help keep you safe from COVID-19 before, during, and after the big move. 

Hire professionals

Though it may be tempting to make the move yourself to avoid unnecessary contact with others, calling on reputable moving services may actually minimize risk. Hiring a professional moving company to handle the heavy lifting is a solid plan, as many relocation services offer no-contact or low-contact packages to reduce transmission.

Additionally, if you’re nervous about COVID exposure on the road trip to your new destination, skip the drive, hop a quick flight, and ship your car from state to state. That way, you can breathe easier with no-contact options and highly-regulated airport protocols. 

Clean and disinfect everything before moving

Your moving process should begin with taking careful inventory of everything you own, making sure to disinfect every item you plan on taking to your new home. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists several ways to disinfect your personal effects before storing them in boxes, so stock up on your favorite cleaning supplies.  Starting at your new living space with fresh and clean items is advice worth heeding if you have concerns about COVID lurking among your belongings. 

Prepare your new living space

Regardless of pandemic concerns, cleaning and disinfecting your new living space should be a top priority task. It doesn’t matter if you’re renting an apartment or buying a home—the protocols remain the same. You never know the conditions left by previous owners or the germs they may have tracked into the space, so take extra care to properly wipe down your new home.

Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting your living space is peace of mind you can’t buy at a store, so consider cleaning products as you budget how much a move will cost. Once you’re all finished scrubbing each surface, take some well-deserved time to relax after a long few days and enjoy your new (clean and safe) living space. 

To wrap up

Moving to a new city or state while keeping COVID-19 at the top of your mind doesn’t have to be a lesson in anxiety management. Use this opportunity to pare down things you may not use anymore and start with a clean slate— both mentally and physically. You can disinfect the rest and settle into your new COVID-free space.