Coronavirus: Only 5% of Belfast employees have returned to workplaces

Official public health advice in Northern Ireland is that people who can work from home should do so.

Only 5% of office-based staff in Belfast have returned to their workplaces full time, a survey has suggested.

Office-based staff have been advised to work from home since the start of the pandemic.

The Belfast Chamber of Commerce surveyed its members last month.

The results suggest bout 35% of office staff are working from home all the time, with the rest splitting the time between home and the workplace.

Official public health advice in Northern Ireland is people who can work from home should do so.

Additionally, UK government advice is that office workers should maintain 2m social distancing.

That means most offices can accommodate no more than half their normal staff numbers.

'A phased return'

Simon Hamilton, the chamber's chief executive, suggested Stormont ministers should review their guidance.

"I have spoken with many members who have staff that want to return to the office for a whole host of reasons, while others who have a customer or client facing aspect to their work are keen to get back," Mr Hamilton said.

"But they have stated clearly to me the executive's guidance, which remains at step one on their pathway to recovery.

"We would encourage the executive to move to step three on its pathway and permit a phased return to the office where this is safe and has been subject to the necessary risk assessments."

Retail NI says office workers provide a large amount of footfall and trade for retail and hospitality sectors

Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said it was "vital" the NI Executive worked on a strategy for office workers to return safely.

"This is crucial, not just for Belfast, but for the economic future of all our major towns and cities in Northern Ireland," he said.

"Office workers provide a large amount of footfall and trade for retail and hospitality sectors in many of our high streets.

"Given that both sectors are facing severe difficulties at the minute, the return of office workers is vitally important for their future viability," he added.

'Mixed message'

However Carmel Gates, from the union Nipsa, said workers should not go in if it was not safe to do so.

"Scientific advice is that we need to protect our members and if you can't socially distance in offices or other workplaces, then you are safer at home," she told BBC News NI.

"Ministers should not be giving a mixed message.

"The message should be stay safe. Nothing in the economy is worth lives."

Since the start of August, employers in England have had more freedom to decide how staff should work, whether at home or in the workplace.

But ministers will soon actively promote returning to the workplace in England.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said "for a lot of people, it will be the right time".

The head of the business leaders' organisation, the CBI, said city centres could become "ghost towns" unless more is done to encourage the return of office workers.