By now, most of the country is in some phase of re-opening aftermonths of stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sofar, states have focused on retail and restaurants in phasedre-opening plans, but office-using businesses are starting toimagine a path to populating buildings again. Like retailers, mostbusinesses will execute a phased re-opening, with office workersreturning slowly and in groups, according to a study fromCBRE. The study found that 72% of businesses willconduct a phased reopening.

"As our study indicated, most companies and organizations willuse a phased re-entry strategy. Common responses range from 15-20%of employees returning to their place of work for each phase,"Karen Ellzey, executive managing director ofCBRE's reopening the world's workplaces taskforce, tellsGlobeSt.com. The study found that 78% of companies will implementsocial distancing in the workplace, and 59% of businesses willrequire facemasks.

There are a number of benefits to a phased return Chiefly, itwill help create a safe spaces for workers and help ease thetransition back to normal life. "Companies and organizations arechoosing to implement phased approaches to reopening offices andsimilar environments because it is widely recommended by guidanceauthorities such as CDC as a key strategy for achieving socialdistancing," says Ellzey. "Phasing also eases crowding in publictransportation, helps alleviate the formation of queues nearelevators, and creates a more comfortable experience for employeesinside the workplace. Employers recognize that governmental ordersand public health guidance is evolving as more is learned aboutCOVID-19."