As UK Lifts Lockdown Remote Working Has Come To Stay

Office staff are set to be told to keep working from home even as other lockdown restrictions are eased, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Boris Johnson is not expected to give a firm date for when workers will return to their desks as he unveils his plans for a return to normality on Monday.

It means the 'work from home if you can' message will continue to guide employers for the foreseeable future.

But ahead of any return, companies are reportedly drafting 'no jab, no job' contracts to force staff to get Covid-19 vaccinations

Bosses in the care home sector as well as large international groups including an energy firm are making arrangements, top lawyers warned.

It comes as it emerged all adults could be offered two jabs by August because supplies are surging.

A further 1.7million people in England are being told to shield from coronavirus and everyone on the vulnerable list is being urged to stay at home until at least March 31.

Officials said the list — first drafted almost a year ago — was being almost doubled after No10's scientific advisers identified additional adults at serious risk of Covid-19. The Department of Health did not say who would be added, but the update will look at risk factors including age, weight, ethnicity and deprivation - rather than just underlying conditions.

It comes after the National Audit Office revealed last week hundreds of thousands of vulnerable patients were not told to shield due to out-of-date records.

Today's announcement pours cold water on hopes lockdown could start to be eased next month, suggesting medics do not think it will be safe. This is despite the Government smashing its target of vaccinating 15million of the most vulnerable by February 15.

There had been hopes that, once those most at risk were jabbed and developed immunity several weeks later, that the most draconian curbs could be lifted.

Many large firms have already told staff they should work remotely, with some even delaying a return to the office until at least the end of the year.

However, some studies claim that productivity is hampered as workers log in from their kitchen table rather than at their desk.