COVID-19 outbreaks disrupt return to the workplace.

 

With the working year more-or-less commencing this week, COVID-19 continues to disrupt the CBD office market across the country.

 

Employers are adopting a flexible approach to a return-to-the office policy amid concerns over sporadic COVID-19 outbreaks.

 

The Property Council of Australia has proposed that national cabinet implement a national plan for the reactivation of CBD economies through measures including consistent directions from state and territory governments on the return to workplaces, initiatives to boost confidence in using public transport and a plan to safely restart migration during 2021.

 

However, many of Melbourne's major employers appear in no rush to bring their staff back amid fresh community transmission of COVID-19 and strict indoor mask rules, including in workplaces.

 

The Victorian government confirmed it was reviewing its plans for workers, including its own public servants, to return to the office.

 

The Victorian public service – the largest employer of workers in the city – was due to bring back up to 25 per cent of its staff from 11 January.

 

The phased return was due to cover up to 50 per cent of public servants from 8 February, subject to health advice.

 

Commercial offices in the CBD were set to have up to 50 per cent of staff capacity from the start of this week.

 

NAB, Westpac, ANZ and other major employers in Melbourne say their staff will return in stages, mostly from next month.

 

While the rate of return to CBD offices in Sydney has stepped up, it is still well below pre-COVID levels according to the Property Council.

 

Melbourne and Sydney support more than 1.2 million jobs between them, according to industry figures.

 

Meantime, office occupancy rates in the Perth CBD have been improving over the past few months with a Property Council survey indicating offices were 77 per cent full in December which was only a few points of the 82 per cent figure prior to COVID-19.

 

Data recently released by the City of Perth has shown foot traffic levels in the CBD have returned to pre-lockdown figures.

 

The lunch crowds around midday have also seen a 22 per cent jump from November to December while weekend night-time activity appears to have been stimulated by a free parking initiative across the city.