It's the next big challenge for governments as coronavirus lockdowns ease.
For those of us who are lucky enough to have a workplace to go back to, doing so safely is presenting major challenges.
Millions of people would normally commute by public transport, but how can you stick to social distancing while cramming onto a packed train or bus?
If buses were to enforce a four-square-metres per person rule, there would only be room for six passengers and the driver on board.
It would require 10 times as many buses to cope with an ordinary peak hour.
Still working on a solution
It's a challenge state governments appear aware of, but plans are still being devised.
The NSW government is still encouraging people to work from home wherever possible.
"As restrictions are eased and people travel more, we need to ensure physical distancing can be maintained," a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.
"A range of initiatives are being considered and detailed plans for the public transport network will be outlined during the week."
Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey said workplaces were being encouraged to bring back employees in stages and stagger start times.
"We want to spread the load right across the peak, maybe even outside the peak a little to maximise the level of social distancing," Mr Bailey said.
"We've got to monitor that closely week-by-week, month-by-month, and we're planning ahead to make sure we can respond well to it."
The state was expecting a bigger lift in public transport usage when schools returned to full time face-to-face teaching.
People are voting with their feet
Even before restrictions eased, there were signs of commuters returning.
"We're seeing a small return of numbers to public transport this week and we'll monitor that closely, but we believe there'll be ample opportunity for social distancing for some time," Mr Bailey said.
Rail patronage in South East Queensland is still below a fifth of historic levels, but it has risen more than a third in the past month.
The same pattern can be seen in transport systems across the country.
Canberra's light rail is showing even clearer signs of a rebound.
The past week's patronage is up 40 per cent on the previous four, even as authorities continued to urge against complacency.
The pandemic has changed commuting forever
Demand for public transport may not rebound to historic levels if the pandemic brings with it the beginning of a new era of flexible work.
The UK Government has acknowledged London's public transport system won't be adequate post-pandemic.
The capacity of tube carriages, which normally carry up to 125 passengers, could be slashed to just 21.
"Getting Britain moving again is going to require many of us to think very carefully about how and when we travel," the UK's transport secretary Grant Shapps said.
Some European countries, like Belgium and Italy, were now investing more in cycling infrastructure.
There has also been a spike in cycling activity in Australia.
"There's certainly a lot of people on bicycles and active transport than I've ever seen before and I think you'll see a proportion of those people like that and stick with it," Mr Bailey said.
