COVID roadmap leaves homework as default

摘要

The UK government's roadmap1 for a gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions in England envisages the resumption of nearly all types of work by the summer. Pending a review that will report in June, there is no change, however, to the advice that "people should continue to work from home where they can". Employers should check the government's online advice for updates2. The road map, published on 22 February, comprises a four-step plan that anticipates the re-opening of sectors alongside wider societal measures at five-weekly intervals with "no earlier than" dates for each step that are subject to the meeting of four tests relating to vaccine deployment and efficacy, infection rates and the effect on the NHS, and new variants of concern. The first step saw all schools reopen on 8 March, with some outdoors restrictions due to be relaxed on 29 March. The benefits to students of returning to schools are well documented, but the government believes that the move will also benefit parents working from home, 53% of whom "report a reduced ability to work as a result of school closures" (see p.1).