While New York City offices were allowed to reopen last month, only a fraction of workers have returned to Manhattan offices, according to the Wall Street Journal. CBRE Group, a major holder of commercial real estate, reported that, based on unique card swipes at the buildings it owns, only about 8 percent of downtown workers are going back to the physical office, and only 9 percent of midtown workers. However, said the Journal, as low as these figures are, just a month ago, that number was only 2 percent, indicating a steadily upward, if rather slow, trend. It may take a while for office occupancy to return to pre-pandemic levels, if it ever gets back there are all. The Journal noted that few are taking their companies up on offers to return to the office, for example, workers at Verizon, which framed its reopening as an invitation rather than an order.

While some firms say they plan to really ramp up reopening in September, after Labor Day, others are not so sure and may remain at reduced physical staffing for some time.