Barclays has instructed its staff in the US and the UK to continue working from home at least until 15 June 2020, Yahoo Finance has reported.

The move is in line with the bank’s strategy to help keep its staff safe amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK government also urged workers to continue working from home until further notice.

In an official briefing document, the government said: “Workers should continue to work from home rather than their normal physical workplace, wherever possible.”

In a memo to its employees, the bank said that it was planning for phased return to the office that would be gradually and carefully implemented.

Barclays also noted that a small percentage of staff in the US, UK, and India may return to their offices from 15 June 2020, if the government guidance allows it.

Reopening the offices would involve working out childcare and transport arrangements for employees, the bank added.

The bank believes that the return to work strategy will limit the number of people who could be in the office at any one time.

In Hong Kong, Barclays already allowed 60% of its staff to return to their office, following HSBC and Goldman Sachs.

Last week, Deutsche Bank also reopened 80 branches in Germany as it believed that the virus spread in the country has peaked.