Can You Relocate within the UK During the Coronavirus Pandemic

As of December 2021, the UK government has confirmed there are no restrictions on moving and travelling within England. So if you want to relocate to London, you can absolutely do so. However, some requirements and safety guidelines need to be followed.

Current Safety Guidelines

Most of the rules placed by the government when it comes to home relocations concern social distancing, with some of them being:

• Avoid handshakes
• Wear a facemask during indoor interactions with other people
• Maintain a distance of 2 metres from your movers
• Reschedule your moving date if you feel unwell or have a fever
• Use alcohol-based hand-sanitisers and wash your hands with soap and warm water

Currently, you don’t have to have a green certificate to move within London and England. If you wish to relocate to Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, you need to check the regulation at your desired destination. There might be changes in the travel rules.

Another reassuring fact is that in its last report from early December 2021 the British Association of Removers (BAR) states: “Despite the emergence of the new Omicron variant, there are currently no restrictions being placed upon the home moving market..” BAR is an international organisation recognised as the main trading body of the removals industry. Its members are some of the biggest and most reputable companies in the UK. The association regularly issues guidelines and protocols that need to be followed to ensure the quality of the provided services and the safety of both clients and movers.

How Are Moving Companies Working During the Pandemic?

Some significant changes have been implemented when delivering removal and storage services. You can expect to:

• Communicate with your movers primarily via email or phone
• No on-site viewings. Instead, the most trusted removal companies use videos and pictures. Online real-time viewings are also possible.
• No-contact deliveries of packing materials.

From the start of the pandemic, removal companies have begun to enforce new safety protocols when it comes to personal hygiene, PPEs and disinfection.

How to Move Safely During the Pandemic?

Since the majority of the rules can significantly limit your contact with other people, your relocation can be hard to plan but not impossible. There are still ways to safely transfer your belongings from point A to point B without unnecessary risks.

Hire a Man and Van Service

This is a great option if you are relocating within city limits and don’t have a lot of belongings. The man and van moving team consist of two people – the designated driver and the other one helping with the loading of the boxes. However, you can easily request only a driver and pack and load your belongings yourself. It will be hard and uncomfortable, but this way you can avoid all interactions with people. Since most small companies are not members of BAR, they operate under the government’s safety guidelines.

Leave Everything to Your Moving Company

Homeowners who plan a largescale relocation with lots of furniture and boxes should consider this option. Coordinate with your removal company every detail of the relocation process over the phone. Leave your current house and book a hotel for a day or two. During this time, the movers will enter your home, pack everything, move it to the new location and unpack it. Then book a cleaning company to disinfect your new house and safely move. This option is pricey, but if you have children or immunocompromised family members, it will save you a lot of stress.

Find the Middle Ground

There is, of course, a third option that can save you both time and money. You can order packing materials and hire moving crates to be delivered to your doorstep. The containers are made of high-quality plastic and have been thoroughly disinfected. Carefully pack your belongings, making sure everything is neatly arranged in the containers. Once you are good to go, the movers will come, load and transport your items. They will do the unloading and leave. It will be up to you to unpack and arrange your new home. You can request a courier to take the used crates from your doorstep. It may sound like a standard moving procedure, but the strict safety guidelines will prevent you from having unwanted interaction with people outside your household.

What Is the Conclusion?

Both the UK government and BAR are advising to move only when needed. If you choose to relocate, follow these rules when picking a moving company:

• Hire a BAR member to ensure all safety procedures are properly implemented.
• Seek trusted companies with transparent booking policies that can protect your interest.
• Your movers have to be able to accommodate you in case of an emergency. For example, offering to store your belongings if you need to be placed in immediate quarantine.

As for you, the customers must be responsible and follow the governmental safety guidelines when it comes to social distancing and people interactions. It may sound scary, but basically, all you need o do is wear a mask and talk on the phone. Your movers will handle the rest.

Stephanie Cooper

Stephanie is a content marketing specialist for Top Removals for the past several years. She has extensive experience working with moving companies and knows her audience. Stephanie creates engaging and useful content helping the customers of Top Removals with their struggles and providing them with the most accurate insight.