BORIS Johnson has been forced into another screeching U-turn on coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
The Prime Minister for several weeks had been trying to persuade workers in England to return to the office and even announced a campaign earlier this month encouraging people to go back to their workplaces.
However, in a statement to the Commons today the first measure Johnson announced was that people should work from home “if possible” as part of new policies to control the spread of he virus and prevent a second wave.
He told MPs: "First we are asking office workers who can work from home to do so. In key public services and professions where home working is not possible such as construction or retail people such attend their work places."
His comments are a complete reversal of the position he took just weeks ago.
Marking his first day back after the summer parliamentary recess, he told his Cabinet: "People are going back to the office in huge numbers across our country, and quite right too”.
Following Johnson's drive to get workers returning to offices Nicola Sturgeon warned Johnson against trying to "intimidate" workers into returning to offices.
She argued it was still too soon for everyone to return to normal without the virus spreading and Scottish office workers should continue operating from home for the time being.
A campaign launched by the UK Government earlier this month was prompted by Johnson's concern over empty offices and quiet city centres as millions of people in England refuse to heed his calls for them to return.
Government sources warned at in mid September that working from home was not "the benign option it seems" as they may find themselves "in the most vulnerable position" if their employers decide to make staffing cuts.
But today the new advice was issued, along with plans to close all pubs, restaurants and bars at 10pm — with table service only.
Johnson said the measures would be in place for six months.
Ahead of his campaign to get people returning to workplace trade unions accused the UK Government of 'bullying people back to work' amid claims fewer than half of workplaces are Covid-secure
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