@CamillaTominey @FraserNelson @gordonrayner @charleshymas Not sure if you are aware but @beisgovuk guidance requires offices to apply 2m social distancing to be #Covid19UK secure (legal requirement). Offices cannot apply just 1 m social distancing
2m social distancing means that half the desks are unavailable hence maximum capacity becomes 50% in ac well designed open plan space of that available on 28th February 2020. In old badly designed buildings like you have in Whitehall you lose 70% of desk capacity
Lift capacity is also a barrier as the maximum capacity under #Covid19UK rules is 4 people in a lift at a time and lifts would readily have had 12-15 in them at peak times pre lockdown Hence very long queues at 2m if no staggered arrivals Exits cannot be delayed as all desks
Must be cleaned/sanitised each day. Hence most employers working to maximum of 40% of previous capacity
One solution would be face covers worn all day by workers and distance closer than current 2m social distancing but not sure socially acceptable (what do you think). Many employers mandating face covers in lifts and toilets but I am not aware of any mandating at desks
Meetings are also constrained by social distancing as you need a room designed for 8 people for a 2 person meeting under @AlokSharma_RDG guidance
The final major constraint is transport 1m social distancing only gives @TfL 25% of the capacity that existed pre #Covid19UK In addition, commuters who are regularly returning are worrying that no one being prosecuted for not adhering to law on face covers - Ministers need to
Consider how to enforce 100% compliance with face covers on public transport eg advertise/embarrass/fine @rolandmcs @martin_finch
What is likely to happen from 7th September (when schools return) is people will go back more regularly to the office as lack of childcare no longer an issue but few will return 5 days a week
Remember that Chris Whitty said that Working from Home best social distancing measure AND that as schools return something else will need to give way Shutting restaurants/pubs in front of offices would be a tough call
PS in Scotland non essential offices not allowed to open until at least mid September
End - hope this helps your knowledge on current rules
PPS - #Covid19UK has sped up the evolution that was already occurring towards home working as we have lived through a successful 6 month pilot/prototype Most employers will look to reduce office estate at lease breaks/expiry Experts like @antonyslumbers have said 30-50%
Offices will always be required and will increasingly be collaboration/training/mentoring space with delivery often at home. Days in the office will be longer and include socialising but also less frequent
This helps levelling up agenda as when you commute only part of the week easier to live anywhere - arguably journalists have shown leadership on this for a long time cc @csgmoore
Disappointed that no response from any of the above Telegraph journalists #values
