The Safest Way to Move Interstate During COVID-19

There’s no doubting that 2020 will be a year most of us will not look back on fondly. With the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic, our lives were changed virtually overnight. Suddenly all of the things we took for granted were no longer possible. Browsing at the shops, catching up with friends for a coffee at the local café or working out at your gym – all of these and much more were curtailed with the social distancing measures put in place by the government. 

Perhaps you were in the process of relocating when the coronavirus hit – you may be wondering how on earth you now undertake moving your home contents interstate when all of the state borders in Australia are currently closed. Moving house is not generally thought of as an enjoyable task at the best times so throwing a global pandemic into the mix does not help with the stress and logistics of moving house!

Current Government restrictions and state border closures

Currently, government restrictions are changing by the day although it is expected that some state borders will remain closed for the imminent future. Fortunately, freight and logistics are classified as “essential services” by the government so they are exempt from the border restrictions that are in place.

Interstate removalists, like the rest of the population, have adjusted their services to ensure that the safety and well being of their customers is of the highest priority at this time as well as adhering to the state restrictions in place where they are operating.

State Guidelines for Travel During COVID-19:

Moving to Queensland

The border into QLD is closed. If you are moving to QLD you need to apply for an exemption to enter the state (assessed on a state by state basis) and complete a 14-day isolation period upon arrival. For up-to-date information from the QLD Government click here

Moving to New South Wales

There are no interstate border restrictions in place. For up-to-date information from the NSW Government click here.

Moving to ACT

There are no interstate border restrictions in place. For up-to-date information from the ACT Government click here.

Moving to Victoria

There are no interstate border restrictions in place. For up-to-date information from the VIC Government click here.

Moving to Tasmania

All people moving interstate to Tasmania will be required to spend 14 days in quarantine at a location provided by the TAS Government if they are not a resident of TAS. (Removalists are exempt from the 14-day isolation period). For up-to-date information from the TAS Government click here.

Moving to Western Australia

The border into WA was closed on 5th April. If you are moving to WA you need to apply for an exemption to enter the state (assessed on a state by state basis) and complete a 14-day isolation period upon arrival. For up-to-date information from the WA Government click here

Moving to South Australia

The SA border has border control checkpoints in place but is allowing non-essential travellers to enter SA. You will need to complete a 14-day isolation period upon arrival. (Removalists are exempt from the 14-day isolation period). For up-to-date information from the SA Government click here.

Moving to Northern Territory

All interstate arrivals into NT must complete a 14-day isolation period, this may need to be completed at a designated location and costs may not be covered by the NT Government. (Removalists are exempt from the 14-day isolation period). For up-to-date information from the NT Government click here.

Why moving with a self-pack shipping container is the safest choice?

Self-pack shipping container removals – a budget-friendly choice that was already gaining in popularity in Australia as a hassle-free and flexible way to move house – has emerged as one of the safest choices when relocating during the pandemic.

The way the pack-your-own shipping container system of moving works is:

• Step 1: A shipping container is delivered to your property and left for you to load

• Step 2: When ready, it is picked up and transported interstate to your new address

• Step 3: You unload in your own time, when complete, the container is removed

Moving house using shipping container removals removes all need for contact with your removalist. The booking process is done online – there is no need for a removalist to visit your home and inventory its contents to give you a moving quote.

When you move using a shipping container, it is generally a flat price that is charged, regardless of what is loaded inside the container. The entire booking procedure is able to be done online using internet-based mapping programs to assess your delivery addresses and plan the container placement at your address.

The container is delivered by a truck and with current safety measures in place, it will be an entirely contactless delivery.

Compare this to the service offered by a “full-service” removalist. In most cases, an assessor will need to come into your home to inventory what needs to be moved in order to provide you with a quote. On moving day, an entire team of removalists will be in and out of the house for an extended period and will be in close contact with all of your home contents. At your new address, the same process will happen again when the unloading occurs.

Settling into your new home when social distancing

One of the more difficult aspects of moving house during the coronavirus pandemic is the social distancing measures that are currently in place in most parts of the country.

The usual ways in that we get to know a new neighbourhood such as visiting the local shops, cafes, restaurants, library or clubs – are not available to us at this time. If they are, there are most likely strict social distancing measures in place to ensure that there is no close contact between people. 

That said, the sense of community that has sprung up around Australia since the onset of COVID-19 has been nothing short of amazing. From driveway drinks with the neighbours (socially distant of course) to rainbow and teddy bear hunts for children, it truly has been astonishing to see the way that people are creatively maintaining a connection to their neighbours and community. 

Budget Self Pack Containers remains open and operational in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Freight and logistics are classified as essential services so are unaffected by state border closures. We are implementing NO CONTACT pickups and deliveries to maintain the safety of our staff and customers. We have storage facilities in all states should you be delayed in transit due to self-isolation requirements.