For the first time in memory, the city that never sleeps has come to a halt. A typical morning in New York City starts with thousands of people rushing to get their coffee and make it to the subway on time. With the presence of COVID-19, absent crowds, empty sidewalks, and quiet streets are taking over as Stay-At-Home orders remain intact.
With non-essential businesses all over the world being forced to shut down, many have made the decision to have their employees work remotely. However, companies that are in the midst of an office move may face some unforeseen consequences due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Whether your business is open or temporarily closed, office moves take months of planning and can’t easily get pushed back. In the months leading up to COVID-19, businesses took the necessary steps to pack up their belongings and leave with enough time for new tenants to move in before their lease was up.
If your business has scheduled an upcoming move to a new office, it’s critical that you make sure that every step of this move is done in the safest way possible. Some advice on how to maintain your health while moving your office during COVID-19 includes:
Perform Extensive Research on NYC Commercial Movers
Choosing the right moving company is a major decision. To ensure that you’re hiring a dependable and secure company, you should make a list of items that the company must have to be certain they’ll handle your office move with care and more importantly, that their workers operate according to protocols set by the CDC.
In your inquiry, ask about these points:
- If their company uses gloves and masks
- If anyone on their team has been sick or been in contact with someone who was infected
- If they’re properly sanitizing their trucks and equipment
- If they have a no-contact policy in place
By requesting this kind of information, you can narrow down your search and hopefully find a company that’s willing to meet your needs.
Invest in Deep Cleaning Tools and Products
Cleaning your new office should be a standard procedure. Not opting for the necessary cleaning measures could cause you a great deal of stress when your employees start working there — and then begin taking sick days. Before you prepare to send all your office supplies and employees to the new office, make certain it receives a deep cleaning.
The CDC recommends purchasing disinfectant products that are EPA-registered to ensure that germs and bacteria are thoroughly eliminated. Some tools you should purchase include:
- Vacuums/Brooms
- Mops
- Gloves/masks
- Trash bags
- Dust towels
A good idea would be to set up sanitization stations throughout the new office to promote handwashing and to make sure that the bathroom has antibacterial soap, which will remove all germs that get picked up.
What are Basic Infection Prevention Measures?
Once your office has been wiped down fully before moving in, you can continue to protect your workers by disinfecting all materials that are being transitioned in there. It’s likely that many people have touched these boxes, which could potentially mean the virus is still living on these surfaces.
As soon as that work has been completed, clean yourself up to prevent the spread of the virus. Consider implementing the following infection control practices in your new office:
- Frequent handwashing
- Have workers stay home if they’re ill
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Flexible work policies
- Discourage employees from sharing items
- Routinely clean and disinfect
Emphasizing the importance of these measures can reassure your employees that they’ll be safe at work.
Plan Your Office Move With CRS Movers
During the COVID-19 outbreak, CRS remains fully operational and available to meet all your moving, storage, and cleaning needs. Our state of the art services will ensure that your move is done as safely as possible. Ask about our Electrostatic Spraying Technology service to get the most effective results in cleaning your office.
You can schedule a free phone or video consultation to learn more. CRS Moving & Storage is committed to exceeding your expectations when it comes to giving you the best possible relocation experience. Over the last decade, we’ve helped more than 5,000 businesses move and have provided the best and most advanced cleaning services. Our team is made up of professionals who want to help your business turn this office move into a guaranteed success. Contact us today at (718) 424-6000.
