McDonald’s trials reopening of sites

McDonald’s has announced it is “working through a potential and limited reopening” following a nationwide closure during the pandemic. 

The group had initially closed all sites on 23 March as the coronavirus crisis continued to escalate, but is now trialling how sites may reopen with social distancing measures in place. 

The fast-food giant said it has been listening to its employees and customers, as well as engaging with government and trade bodies, to help “ensure we do this responsibly, when the time is right”.

The group revealed that it will be carrying out operational tests this week in order to “explore what our reopening might look like”. Sites of these operational tests will remain closed to the public however. 

The tests will include exploring social distancing measures for employees, PPE options and how sites can open in a limited capacity. 

The group will remain closed “for now”, and will only reopen when it is “absolutely confident we can have the right measures in place to ensure everyone’s wellbeing”.

Paul Pomroy, the CEO of McDonald’s, said: “Restarting our business is not an easy task even when reopening in a limited capacity. 

“We have set ourselves some key criteria for reopening, all of which take time – first and foremost ensuring the wellbeing of our people and creating the right environment for them to return to work; secondly ensuring we have enough supply of fresh produce; and finally working in-step with government guidelines to ensure the safety of our customers.”