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All McDonalds restaurants in the UK and Ireland will become takeaways, drive-thrus and delivery operations as the company attempts to cope with the coronavirus outbreak.<\/p>\nAll McDonalds restaurants in the UK and Ireland will become takeaways, drive-thrus and delivery operations as the company attempts to cope with the coronavirus outbreak.<\/p>\n
In a statement, chief executive Paul Pomroy wrote: \u201cOur restaurants will remain open for as long as it is safe to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the last 24 hours it has become clear that we need to temporarily change our operations to ensure the wellbeing of our employees and customers consistent with the Government\u2019s guidance on social distancing.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore from 5am tomorrow (Wednesday) morning all restaurants will close seating areas and temporarily move to being takeaway, drive-thru and McDelivery only.\u201d<\/p>\n
All restaurants will scrap dine-in operations, shut seating and close children\u2019s play areas, but toilets will remain open.<\/p>\n
He added that all orders placed through Uber Eats and Just Eat would be \u201ccontact-free, with no physical contact between customers, employees and couriers, wherever possible\u201d.<\/p>\n
Workers in the emergency services and health and social care sectors will receive free drinks on presentation of their work pass.<\/p>\n
A McDonald\u2019s spokesperson said: \u201cGiven the unprecedented and unique situation and the need to contain any societal spread of Covid-19, currently if a company owned restaurant employee needs to self-isolate for 14 days we will pay them for this period, based on their average working hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis applies to both those on guaranteed hour contracts and flexible contracts working in company owned restaurants.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are closely monitoring the situation and may review this as the Covid-19 response develops.\u201d<\/p>\n
The chain\u2019s annual Monopoly promotion is being paused until later in the year, the company added.<\/p>\n
Mr Pomroy said: \u201cThis year\u2019s prizes include a number of luxury holidays, European city breaks and cruises which will have all been impacted by current and ongoing restrictions on international travel.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing conversations with our suppliers and prize partners, we feel it is appropriate to delay the promotion until later this year.\u201d<\/p>\n