McDonald’s will reopen 15 restaurants for delivery

McDonald’s has revealed it will reopen its first UK restaurants for delivery on May 13 after shutting sites due to the coronavirus lockdown.

It said it will reopen 15 restaurants for delivery only on JustEat and UberEats, with the locations of restaurants being announced next week.

The fast food giant will not be serving breakfast and will return with a limited menu and shorter opening hours from 11am and 10pm.

McDonald’s will bring in perspex screens and floor markings, non-medical grade face masks for staff and social distancing measures for delivery drivers.  

All employees will be asked to confirm they are fit and able to work, and bosses will use contactless thermometers with temperatures taken on arrival at work for every shift. 

McDonald’s furloughed 135,000 staff when it shut up shop temporarily in March. 

Under government rules, food firms are allowed to operate as takeaway and delivery outlets under lockdown.

Other companies which have moved to limited store reopenings or delivery-only services include Five Guys, Nando’s, KFC and Burger King. 

Pret A Manger recently announced plans to partially reopen as pressure grows for an exit plan from the lockdown ravaging the economy. 

Their shops will open near hospitals and GP surgeries for delivery and takeaway services only.

But the high street bakery Greggs has postponed reopening 20 stores next week over fears of overcrowding.

The takeaway chain temporarily shut all of its 2,050 branches last month to protect customers and staff after the Government ordered all non-essential shops to close.   

Greggs said on Monday it was set to reopen some of its branches in the Newcastle area next week to test if it could operate without breaking social distancing rules, but has now changed its mind. 

The fast-food chain has spent this week testing its operations behind closed doors in preparation to reopen sites.

Paul Pomroy, McDonald’s chief executive officer for the UK and Ireland, said: ‘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.

‘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.’