10 Tips for Moving Abroad Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic
If you’ve moved abroad before, you more than likely are aware that it can be a grueling process, and it gets even worse with the COVID-19 pandemic. With the COVID-19 virus still causing destruction in a variety of ways, life has become quite different from what it used to be. The astonishing rate of infections and a high number of deaths has made countries restrict movement a lot to reduce the spread of the virus.
On the brighter side, however, quite a number of countries are slowly winning the fight against the virus, to the extent of being able to reopen their borders, having closed for a couple of months. However, even as the borders reopen, we have to make some significant changes to the way that we move.
If you’ve been dreaming of moving overseas, there are a couple of considerations that you’ll have to make to ensure that your move is both legally and medically suited. Here are our top tips for anyone who wants to move abroad:
1. Verify that it’s safe to move
As expected, your safety and that of your family is critical at this moment. For this reason, the first thing that you want to do is ensure that your chosen destination has a significantly low threat from the virus. You can get information related to the list of safe countries to be in from data released by the government. Before making the final decision, be sure to also consider advice from experts and the national health authorities.
It’s good to keep in mind, however, that there will certainly be some amount of danger associated with moving internationally at this time. The main thing to consider is to what extent such danger can affect your wellbeing and that of your family. Also, be sure to go by the government’s advice against travelling to specific countries.
2. Avoid moving if you’re sick
If you’ve shown the slightest symptoms of COVID-19 recently, be sure to get tested and delay your move where necessary. It’s important to ensure that you don’t have the virus to avoid getting into awful situations.
If you take the risk to move while exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, you may be stopped at the airport or at the point of entry in your destination country. If such a situation arises, you will have a hard time trying to convince your insurance company so as to get compensated for the money that you have lost.
3. Ensure that your move is legal
The developments of the COVID-19 virus keep on forcing governments in different parts of the world to keep changing their restrictions. There are cases where governments that have managed to bring the virus under control are forced to put restrictions that prevent entry.
Taking that into consideration, it’s important that you confirm whether your country of destination still allows entry by citizens from your current country of residence. You don’t want to get turned away at the border and have to fly countless miles back to where you came from.
4. Stick to the government guidelines
At such a time, you want to follow the government guidelines strictly to avoid getting into trouble. Failing to honour the set guidelines can result in serious trouble such as being denied entry as a result of not having a COVID-19 medical certificate or test results that prove that you don’t have the virus.
Since you want to enjoy your new country as much as you can, avoid doing things that can ruin the ability to do so. Keep in mind that you can also get fined for flouting the outlines guidelines in a majority of the countries.
5. Ensure that your insurance is valid
Since you don’t have a clue about what’s likely to happen as far as transmission of the country is concerned you want to ensure that no matter what happens, your financial status will remain intact. The best way to do this is to get insurance, specifically travel insurance, removals insurance, health insurance, and renters’ insurance, where applicable.
6. Maintain contact with everyone
You also want to keep in contact with the persons who will enable you to move to your new country of residence with increased ease. Such players include the company that will move you, your new boss (if it applies in your case), and most importantly, your accommodation. By staying in constant communication, you can avoid a situation where you have a hard time making changes to your plans simply because it’s quite late.
7. Choose the right team to move you
To facilitate a hassle-free and safe move, you have to ensure that you choose the right international mover. This should be a company that is able to stay in line with the laid out COVID-19 protocols. It should be a company that is able to move you fast while requiring as minimal interaction with you as possible.
The moving company of your choice should have precautions that they have made for their clients. Their crew and drivers should be well equipped and protected against the virus, in addition to setting the required precautions to reduce the spread of the virus.
When asking the company what precautions they have put into place, also be sure to ask them how they would handle a situation where one of their workers has tested positive for the virus. If the company is well prepared for any situation connected with the COVID-19 pandemic, then you can possibly hire them knowing that your safety is taken care of.
8. Disinfect pre and post-move
Make sure to disinfect your items before moving and after unpacking them once they are at your new home. In addition, it’s highly advisable that you clean and disinfect your new home before unpacking to ensure that you start off with a space that is free of unwanted disease-causing microorganisms.
9. Allow your moving company to pack and unpack
If the moving company offers to pack your belongings for you and unpack them at your new home, please allow them to as they probably have the best measure put in place to avoid cross-contamination. If possible, you can also encourage them to use one-time boxes if possible so that there won’t be a rush to unpack, if you wish to organize your home by yourself.
10. Keep the COVID-19 rules in mind while traveling
When the times comes to be on the move, be sure to pay close attention to the COVID-19 rules to ensure your safety and the safety of others. The main rules to keep in mind include:
- Consider paying using contactless methods
- Keep your mask on in all but essential situations such as when eating
- Try the best you can to remain seated in the plane and around the airport
- Keep your hand luggage to a minimum
- Sanitize or wash your hands regularly
- Maintain a distance of two meters from other people where applicable
- Utilize online check-in services where possible to avoid face-to-face interactions
- Target the less busy times for travelling
Even though moving internationally at this time is quite a major challenge, it’s still possible as long as you prepare well and hire the right movers. The tips mentioned in this article should go a long way towards making it easier for you to move abroad while still staying safe from the COVID-19 virus. Remember that your safety comes first, so be sure to prioritize it to ensure that you finally get to enjoy your new country.
