Moving companies invest in safety and sanitary gear ahead of busy moving day

MONTREAL (CITYNEWS) – Moving companies in Montreal are doing their part to implement COVID-19 safety precautions as moving day approaches.

Quebec’s province-wide July 1 moving day is already chaotic as it is: brown boxes, packing tape, reserved elevators, flights of stairs, trucks double parked on one-way streets.

The COVID-19 pandemic has managed to make things more complicated this year.

“These are special conditions,” said Eric Shannon of Meldrum The Mover. “It’s a bit more complicated. We have to wear masks and be very careful.

“Customers just point to where the stuff is going. They don’t come near us for obvious reasons.”

Moving companies have been forced to adapt their operations to respect distancing rules and overall health measures, like investing in safety and sanitary gear.

“It’s not more dangerous than going to the grocery store,” said Shannon. “We’re very careful. We’re very aware of the situation and we adapt to the situation.”

It’s all in preparation for the city’s busiest moving day, when leases come to an end simultaneously and nearly 100,000 people change addresses every year.

Provincial and municipal officials have offered tips on how to move safely. They have also suggested people change homes if it’s essential to do so.

Moving companies are already seeing a decrease in volume – during spring, at least.

“I think it’s undeniable that volume is down,” said Paul Filgiano, owner of Meldrum The Mover. “There is obviously an uptick in the moves that are happening for the end of June.

“Is it going to be a typical July 1? I suppose that’s to be seen. I don’t think anything is typical this year in 2020.”

This year, Montreal’s average vacancy rate is a mere 1.5 per cent.

“Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, the housing situation was difficult in the metropolis, particularly for low-income households,” said Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante. “We also understand that not everybody has the ability or the financial resources to hire a professional company.”

Mayor Plante is calling on the Quebec government to put $5 million toward an emergency fund to support tenants in need. She says the city will temporarily house stranded tenants in hotels designated for the COVID-19 crisis.

Montreal police will be monitoring the moves to ensure health guidelines are being respected, but they won’t be issuing tickets.

Officials’ tips for a safe move include limiting the number of people helping you, disinfecting all surfaces and washing your hands as much as possible.

“I don’t think people should be worried,” said Filgiano. “I think people should apply reasonable precaution to frankly everything they do. and that includes moving.”