Omicron Variant Leads Companies to Rethink Plans to Reopen Offices

Many companies are delaying plans to bring workers back to the office because of continuing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. One big concern is the recently discovered Omicron version, or variant¹, of COVID-19.

Health officials are still studying the Omicron variant. But there have been early signs that it may be less dangerous than the Delta² variant. Delta is still responsible for most coronavirus cases, especially in the United States, and continues to cause hospitalizations.

But a number of unknowns surrounding Omicron has led companies of all sizes to rethink plans to reopen their offices.

Technology company Google and the nation's second largest automaker, Ford³ Motor Company, are among those that have once again delayed their return-to-office plans. Other businesses that already brought workers back are considering adding extra safety measures like requiring masks.

Officials in Britain, Denmark, Norway and Sweden also have recently asked employees to work from home if they can because of concerns about Omicron.

Meta, formerly⁴ known as Facebook, and ridesharing company Lyft recently announced they were letting workers delay their return when offices fully⁵ reopen early next year. Meta still plans to open its headquarters at the end of January but will permit workers to delay their return to as late as June. Lyft says it will not require workers to come back to its offices through all of next year.

The moves come after many big companies decided⁶ to postpone⁷ requirements for workers to return to offices in the autumn. Those decisions were largely linked to the spread of the Delta variant.

Jeff Levin-Scherz is with the international advisory⁸ company Willis Tower Watson. He told The Associated Press that 18 months ago, most people thought the work-from-home policies would only be in place for a short time. "But the pandemic has thrown us many curves, and employers need to continue to be nimble."

Willis Tower Watson carried out research involving 543 companies that employ 5.2 million workers. The research showed that on average, 34 percent of employees permitted to work from home remain remote. The results found that that number would drop to 27 percent by the first quarter of 2022. However, the research was completed before news of Omicron came out.

Lawrence Gostin is a public health expert at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. He told the AP he does not think there is enough scientific information on Omicron to support company decisions to delay their return-to-office plans.

He said there is likely to be a continuing series of new variants⁹, as well as rises and falls in COVID-19 cases going forward. "We shouldn't disrupt normal business activity at every possible trigger," Gostin said.

He noted¹⁰ that a combination of protective measures – such as face coverings, vaccinations¹¹ and ventilation methods – are highly effective at preventing virus spread in the workplace.

Still, the rise of new variants seems to be having a psychological effect on some business owners.

"Omicron has made me realize work life will never return to the way it was pre-COVID," said Gisela Girard. She is president of Creative Civilization, an advertising¹² agency. The company's 12 employees have been working remotely since March 2020.

"It made me realize how working from home is likely to keep employees, their families and also our clients safe," Girard said.

Her company had planned to bring workers back to the office part time in the autumn. But the Delta variant delayed those plans until early next year. Now, Omicron has her reconsidering not only those plans, but also whether to bring the employees back at all.

Words in This Story

curve – n. something that is surprising or unexpected and can affect other things

nimble – adj. able to move quickly and easily

remote – adj. happening a far distance away

disrupt – v. to interrupt something and stop it from continuing as it should

trigger – n. an event or situation that makes something else happen

ventilation – n. a system that permits fresh air to enter and move through a room, building, etc.

1 variant   

adj.不同的，变异的；n.变体，异体

参考例句：

• We give professional suggestions according to variant tanning stages for each customer.我们针对每位顾客不同的日晒阶段，提供强度适合的晒黑建议。
• In a variant of this approach,the tests are data- driven.这个方法的一个变种，是数据驱动的测试。

2 delta   

n.（流的）角洲

参考例句：

• He has been to the delta of the Nile.他曾去过尼罗河三角洲。
• The Nile divides at its mouth and forms a delta.尼罗河在河口分岔，形成了一个三角洲。

3 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

4 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

5 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 postpone   

v.延期，推迟

参考例句：

• I shall postpone making a decision till I learn full particulars.在未获悉详情之前我得从缓作出决定。
• She decided to postpone the converastion for that evening.她决定当天晚上把谈话搁一搁。

8 advisory   

adj.劝告的，忠告的，顾问的，提供咨询

参考例句：

• I have worked in an advisory capacity with many hospitals.我曾在多家医院做过顾问工作。
• He was appointed to the advisory committee last month.他上个月获任命为顾问委员会委员。

9 variants   

n.变体( variant的名词复数 )；变种；变型；（词等的）变体

参考例句：

• Those variants will be preserved in the'struggle for existence". 这些变异将在“生存竞争”中被保留下来。 来自辞典例句
• Like organisms, viruses have variants, generally called strains. 与其他生物一样，病毒也有变种，一般称之为株系。 来自辞典例句

10 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

11 vaccinations   

n.种痘，接种( vaccination的名词复数 )；牛痘疤

参考例句：

• Vaccinations ensure one against diseases. 接种疫苗可以预防疾病。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I read some publicity about vaccinations while waiting my turn at the doctor's. 在医生那儿候诊时，我读了一些关于接种疫苗的宣传。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。