Google will allow most employees to work from home through to July 2021 in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, AFP reported.

In an email to employees, Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said: “To give employees the ability to plan ahead, we are extending our global voluntary work from home option through June 30, 2021 for roles that don't need to be in the office.”

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news, said nearly all of the 200,000 Google employees and contractors worldwide would see an extension of the option which had been set to end in January.