What to Consider if You’re Moving During a Pandemic

The effects of the Coronavirus pandemic has affected Melburnians in many ways and brought about many tough relocation decisions where moving many have not been part of the plan. Many people are temporarily relocating out of COVID hotspots to other areas to either make it easier to access work, education, to be closer with family, or hit a large financial loss and need to save money. We’re in this together and we hope that regardless of your situation, your next move brings a positive future, and maybe a productive few weeks unpacking & settling in where self-isolation restrictions are in place.

If you are planning to move, you’ve got a few options. You don’t have to perform a magic one-person show, but you also probably can’t recruit your friends and neighbours to help right now. The good news is transport and logistics are classified as an essential service, so many great moving companies are still operating.

Looking for the right moving company can be a difficult task, even in a non-pandemic world. HOOD aims to provide you with a smooth moving experience with contactless quotes and upfront pricing from the best local removalists in Melbourne, so you can worry about one less thing. The battle to contain COVID-19 in Melbourne has been difficult, but HOOD is committed to keeping Melburnians moving safely.

Here are some helpful considerations if you’re planning a move.

Is it essential for you to move right now?

People are moving with varying levels of urgency. However, given the current situation, we are in with strict lockdown rules trying to stop the spread of the virus, it’s important to consider if it’s essential for you to move at this time. If possible, try to reschedule your move until after the lockdown. You can still plan your move with HOOD, even if it’s 6 weeks out. If you do have to move, health and safety will be your moving company’s highest priority. We suggest calling your moving company to discuss your options.

Provide a complete inventory list

Providing a detailed inventory list is important so your movers are well prepared about the items that need to be moved. Your inventory list should have at least four columns for every single one of your belongings:

• Description
• Estimated value
• Condition
• Location in your new home

By packing your own things you’ll have additional peace of mind because the movers are then only touching boxes. Assign numbers to each of your boxes and write these numbers down so they can be clearly seen. This will help with knowing where each box goes in your new home.

Follow health and safety protocols

We can protect ourselves and others by following guidelines put in place by the Australian Department of Health to ensure the health and safety of those around us.

• Practice social distancing between yourself and the movers
• Maintain good hygiene by washing your hands frequently and thoroughly using soap and water. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth area.
• Use your mask correctly. When worn correctly, you can protect yourself and others. Wash your hands with soap and water before putting on your mask. Once it’s on, do not touch your mask or readjust your mask.

HOOD is already equipped with essential measurements to manage the coronavirus transmission risk. For example, by providing a virtual estimate rather than having to do an in-person estimate, mitigates the risk of contracting or spreading the virus during a move. With the help of Molly AI, you can easily provide a detailed job request, while getting real-time cost estimations, for full transparency. Removalists receive the requests through the Job Card feature, outlining all the moving details, for a quick and easy virtual estimate.

Disinfect and clean regularly

Make sure you clean all high-touch areas, such as door handles and doorknobs, with disinfectant spray before the movers arrive.

Leave the moving stuff to the pros

Under normal circumstances, movers usually allow customers to assist with the handling of items to speed up the moving process. For now, it’s best to keep yourself at a safe distance from your movers in order to adhere to the 1.5m social distancing rule.

Prioritise your internet setup

Staying connected and reaching out to others and to those close to us is more important than ever. Scheduling an internet installation date at your new home is critical for staying connected to friends and family during this time.

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If you're looking to move, be sure to connect with HOOD.

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