COVID-19 has made social distancing the new normal. This can make it difficult to perform daily tasks, including relocating staff from one location to the next. Relocating your team can be stressful even at the best of times, but now it’s vitally important to take the necessary steps to slow the spread during a pandemic. To help ensure you’re protecting others, limit your exposure by using these steps to relocate your staff safely.
Limit the Number of People
If you have a staff of 10 or less, you could transport them all safely and quickly within a few vehicles, or in a plane that isn’t heavily occupied. However, if you have a staff of 100+ people, it could get tricky. Coordinate the move with your team to reduce crowing, including at entrances, stairwells, and elevators so everyone can pass through at a decent pace. Another way to limit the number of people moving at once is by scheduling the move out day at separate times, especially if you have outside helpers.
Hire a Moving Company
Relocating staff with their items can be difficult because you’ll need multiple people to lug heavy items in and out of a vehicle. Professional moving companies such as United Van Lines have invested heavily in finding ways to do this safely during a pandemic. Their teams of competent professionals are able to move your business from one location to another with minimal contact and minimal risk of infection. Relocation companies are one of the safest options for your business right now.
Many of these companies have adapted their services to operate safely in a pandemic by teaching their staff proper social distancing procedures.
Practice Social Distancing
Everyone should practice social distancing at all times. Keep 2 meters, or 6 feet, between yourself and others whenever possible. This means limiting the number of people in an elevator to one (unless the elevator is large enough to accommodate distancing recommendations). In places like stairwells, entryways, hallways, and anywhere enclosed, ensure that one person is far enough away from one another. Always wear a mask that protects your mouth and nose whenever you’re interacting with anyone.
Hire a Cleaning Company
Always clean frequently used areas, like the bathrooms, desks, light switches, and door handles if you and your company are entirely moving to a different location and are planning to stay there for a prolonged period of time. There is no current, reliable data for how long COVID-19 stays on surfaces, and the length of time varies depending on the surface. To be safe, clean all surfaces commonly touched with an alcohol-based cleaner and rub for at least 20 seconds.
Protect Yourself and Others
If you or any of your employees exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms, postpone relocation plans, and quarantine yourself and anyone who you came in contact with for a minimum of 14 days. It’s better to stay home and recover. To reduce the spread of infection, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or face and wash your hands or use hand sanitizers frequently before, during, and after the relocation. For more information on how you can protect yourself and others from getting sick, follow the guidelines listed by WHO on their website or visit your country or states government website.
