The lock down imposed on most businesses,new travel restrictions, and work at home opportunities now being offered by many companies during this time of pandemic, have all drastically changed the lives of every human being. Malls, offices, restaurants, and many other small establishments that most people used to frequent every day have been closed, with some essential businesses remaining open under strict social distancing measures.

Most people who wish to move to a new home shop differently now, as the moving process tends to bring people closer than six feet apart. That being said, moving safely in the middle of a pandemic is possible when you follow these guidelines.

According to government pandemic regulations, movers are considered essential businesses in some regions of the US. Although its classification may vary by city and state, check whether movers in your state and city are considered essential businesses - if not, you could face the challenge of moving safely during the coronavirus pandemic. It may be better to consider postponing your moving plan.

The coronavirus can be spread between two people, in areas less than six feet apart from each other, by merely speaking, sneezing, or breathing, and if you hire movers to help you move, then you will most likely be speaking with each other. If you want to be safe and want to avoid becoming infected with COVID-19, you might want to postpone your move. If you still want to move, do so using precautionary measures.

During this pandemic, avoid touring many apartments in person. Instead, you should conduct apartment tours virtually. Once you narrow down the search to the place that you think will be the right choice, 

Ask movers some questions about the steps they're taking to minimize the spread of coronavirus on moving day. It's essential to ask them about their disinfecting and social distancing practices. Additionally, just as in touring an apartment in person, movers usually give you a quote for their work. In this time of pandemic, you can ask them for an estimate based on a walkthrough of the unit, while on a FaceTime or Zoom call, instead of having them come to the locations to bid for the job.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused massive delays in deliveries and shipping of supplies. You should order all of your moving supplies as early as possible, such as packing tape, boxes, bubble wrap, and mattress bags. Make sure to have these items delivered to your home, as getting them can be more challenging, especially since these supplies aren't considered essentials.

When your packages arrive, please don't use them right away. Isolate them first, since the coronavirus can survive on cardboard up to 24 hours. Only unpack them after the given period. The same applies to the secondhand or recycling packing materials (even if they were packed long before the pandemic), they could potentially still be dangerous.

During the moving day, you should do what you can to minimize the number of trips your movers make into your house. This way, the possibility of spreading the virus between you and your movers can be reduced.

To do this, designate a staging area of your apartment where you can place boxes after they’re already taped shut and ready to move. On moving day, let the movers take these boxes first and stay at least six feet away from the movers. Wait outside and continue distancing from them as they haul out your larger belongings such as tables, furniture, beds, and dressers.

It's common for renters to clean the place once they've moved out. Cleaning an apartment may not be enough. You should disinfect after you have packed all of your things, and, if possible, do it after all of your belongings have already been loaded to the truck. Make sure to do the same at your new apartment before you bring in all of your belongings. Use disinfectants, hand sanitizer, and hand soap, and don't forget to quarantine boxes for at least 24 hours after moving in.

Moving during the coronavirus pandemic may require you to be extra cautious and schedule your move with flexibility, regarding dates and moving companies. It's still possible to move safely during this pandemic - you just need to be careful.