Just months after employees began to return to the office, European countries are calling for employees to work from home. 

The moves are part of a wider effort to contain a surge in coronavirus infections across the region. 

Europe has again become the epicentre of the pandemic, despite vaccination rates of around 70% and higher in many countries. Furthermore, several countries around the world report the spread of the highly contagious Omicron strain.

Working from home is one of the least disruptive ways to limit contact among the broader population. 

Germany is poised to enact mandatory remote working as long as there are no “operational reasons” that stand in the way. 

The Belgian government on Wednesday announced that employees need to work from home four days a week until mid-December. 

In Ireland and the Netherlands, people have already been instructed to work from home where possible.