Having temporarily closed its UK and Ireland sites in March for the safety of our employees and customers, McDonald's is to reopen 15 sites on 13 May. The 15 sites will offer delivery only from a limited menu.
The 15 sites are:
Chelmsford Riverside
Chelmsford Westway
Ipswich Cardinal Park
Boreham Interchange
Luton Leagrave
Watford Hertfordshire Arms
Chaul End Lane, Luton
Beechings Way, Gillingham
Sittingbourne Retail Park
Gillingham Bowaters
Tooting
Dalston
Welling
Harrow
Luton George Street
As part of its reopening planning, the group has been listening to customers and its employees, and it has worked closely with UK and Irish governments and trade bodies to help ensure it does this responsibly.
This week, the chain has been running controlled tests to explore the safest way to reopen its sites, and these tests have proven successful.
McDonald's will introduce the following measures to help keep staff safe:
· Perspex screens and floor markings will be introduced in specific areas
· Provide additional protective equipment including non-medical grade face masks
· All employees will be asked to confirm they are fit and able to work, and contactless thermometers will be used with temperatures taken on arrival at work for every shift
· Introduce social distancing measures for all of its delivery and service partners.
The brand will return with much smaller teams, which will support social distancing in the kitchens.
To reduce the complexities in kitchens at menu changeover, they will temporarily not be serving breakfast.
McDonald's will be working with delivery partners in Uber Eats and Just Eat to ensure the wellbeing of delivery drivers and staff. Perspex screens, sanitising stations and new social distancing procedures will be introduced.
To date, McDonald's distributed over 400 tonnes of food to charities and food banks around the UK and Ireland and it will continue to support the communities in which it operates as it reopens.
CEO Paul Pomroy said, 'The last few weeks have been difficult for all of us and I hope you, your friends and your families are staying safe. We are very grateful to those of you who have taken a moment to share messages and stay in touch.
'When we return it will be different as we all adjust to this new normal. I want to apologise in advance if our first wave of reopened restaurants does not serve your area. Rest assured, we are working hard to reopen more restaurants, but I am adamant this must be at the right pace with the wellbeing of our employees, suppliers and customers front of mind. Thank you for your patience.
'Slowly, but safely we will return to towns and cities across the UK and Ireland and thank you for your continued support as we work through this crisis. We will continue to keep you updated via email, our website and our social media channels.'