McDonald's plans to reopen dine-in restaurants as it tests safety measures
McDonald’s has announced plans to reopen its dine-in restaurants in the UK and Ireland, after more than four months of being closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The fast food chain said it will open its restaurants with table service only and will reduce its capacity by 70 per cent in order to abide by social distancing.
It will also implement hand-sanitising stations, floor markings and perspex screens between customers and diners so as to maintain the safety of diners.
McDonald’s has also said it will reduce its food prices, following the announcement last week by chancellor Rishi Sunak, who has vowed to cut VAT on food from 20 per cent to 5 per cent from 15 July until January 12.
The fast food chain is currently testing out how its new measures will be implemented this week with the intention of reopening its restaurants as soon as possible.
Paul Pomroy, McDonald’s UK & Ireland chief executive, said: “We are working to reopen our dine-in restaurants when we are confident we can adhere to the government guidance, which enables our teams to work and customers to visit safely.”
Regarding Sunak’s “eat out to help out” scheme, Mr Pomroy added: ”This is a fantastic boost for the sector and an initiative we are understandably keen to participate in.
“However, we are not yet open for dine-in.”
Last month, McDonald’s reopened more than 1,000 of its drive-thru restaurants for the first time in weeks.
The chain also started serving breakfast again for the first time in three months.
The breakfast menu will be limited initially, but staples such as hash browns, McMuffins, and pancakes are all available.
If the initial rollout for breakfast goes smoothly, McDonald’s will extend the breakfast service to its other restaurants.
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