Thousands of workers to head back to offices in ‘gradual return’ to the workplace – know your rights

THOUSANDS of workers will be ordered back to offices from July 19 - but the return will be phased.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed in the Commons that final stage of his roadmap out of lockdown can go-ahead next week but warned the pandemic is far from over.

He urged employers to set out plans for a "gradual return" to the office.

Mr Javid said: "We have looked closely at the data against these four tests and we firmly believe this is the right time to get our nation closer to normal life.

"So, we will move to the next stage of our road map on July 19. To those who say why take this step now, I say if not now when?

"There will never be a perfect time to take this step because we simply cannot eradicate this virus - whether we like it or not, coronavirus is not going away."

In other key announcements:

• Large venues like nightclubs will be urged to use "Covid certification"
• Ministers will encourage a "gradual return" to the workplace this summer
• Masks will be recommended in crowded settings like public transport
• A review of all the rules will take place before September 23
• Scientists expect Covid cases, hospitalisations and deaths to go up
• New advice for the most vulnerable people will be issued imminently

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson tonight said a "gradual return to work over the summer" is expected rather than a rush back to the office en masse".

He told a Downing Street press conference: "We're removing the Government instruction to work from home where you can but we don't expect that the whole country will return to their desk as one from Monday.

"We're setting out guidance for business for a gradual return to work over the summer."

He urged Brits to exercise "extreme caution" and "personal responsibility" as measures come to an end next week.

The PM said: "I cannot say this powerfully or emphatically enough, this pandemic is not over.

"To take these steps we must be cautious and must be vaccinated."

But he stressed that July 19 remained the best time to ease restrictions because of the "natural firebreak" of the school holidays.

Last week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak issued a rally call to workers to return to the office, declaring that it was “really important” for younger staff.

But it is a small u-turn on the PM's address last week, when he said that all working from home rules would be scrapped from next Monday.

It's hoped that a return to the office will see a boost to the high street and make city centres "buzz again".

But a surge in Covid-19 cases has causes ministers to proceed with caution.

Experts warn the UK is experiencing a third wave of infections, with half of cases being recorded in vaccinated Brits.

In a bid to reduce the virus spreading even faster, bosses will be asked to draw up their own plans on getting staff back into the workplace.

But it's unlikely that everyone will make a comeback at the same time as a staggered approach is being encouraged.

🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates

For many employees, July 19 will be the first time they have stepped back into the workplace in more than a year.

While some will be delighted with the prospect of no longer having to work from home, others have enjoyed the flexibility it has brought them.