McDonald's changes rules for entering restaurants - and confirms takeaway reopening date

Fast food giant McDonald’s has announced that it is set to re-open its stores for walk-in takeaway orders.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Last month, the firm announced it was stopping walk-in customers at its branches while it reviewed safety measures.

Now bosses have announced that branches will begin re-opening for takeaway from February 22.

Chief Executive Officer Paul Pomroy said: “Throughout the pandemic, I have been clear that the safety and wellbeing of our people and customers remains our top priority.

Cars queue at a Drive Thru McDonald's  (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)Cars queue at a Drive Thru McDonald's  (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Cars queue at a Drive Thru McDonald's (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

“Over the past four weeks, we've worked with third-party safety experts, our restaurant teams, and franchisees to review all of the safety and operational processes in place in our restaurants.

"During this review, we identified the additional changes we could make to further enhance our safety procedures. We are in the process of rolling out these measures to all restaurants across the UK and Ireland, and I am pleased to confirm we intend to start reopening for walk-in takeaway from Monday 22 February.

He added that from this Wednesday, 26 restaurants across the UK will reopen for takeaway to test the new measures, which include:

Visors as well as face coverings for customer-facing employees

Additional restrictions on the number of customers and couriers allowed into restaurants

Revised guidance and processes for couriers from Uber Eats and Just Eat

Enhanced processes for managing the flow of people, employees and couriers inside the restaurant.

He added: “I kindly ask you all to keep playing your part as we bring more of our restaurant options back to your community. As a reminder, by law you are required to wear a face covering when inside our restaurants unless you are exempt. Our teams will have spare face coverings if you forget yours. We also ask that you sanitise your hands on arrival at the restaurant.

"Thank you for your continued adherence to our safety measures, and for helping to protect yourselves and our employees.

“It's safe to say it's not been the start to 2021 that any of us hoped for, but I am incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication shown by our employees, franchisees and suppliers to ensure we've been able to continue to serve you safely.”

Due to current lockdown restrictions, branches in Scotland will not be able to open for takeaway at this time.