Coronavirus: Melton’s McDonald’s restaurant to close this evening until further notice

The company has taken the decision for the safety of staff and customers as the battle intensifies to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

McDonald’s say it is working closely with community groups to distribute food from its restaurants to those most in need and today staff will ensure frontline health workers and emergency services personnel do not have to pay for any food or drink if they show their work pass.

Paul Pomroy, CEO for the business for UK and Ireland, said: “I am incredibly grateful to our brilliant employees who have been working hard to continue to serve you safely in difficult circumstances.

“Over the last 24 hours, it has become clear that maintaining safe social distancing whilst operating busy takeaway and Drive Thru restaurants is increasingly difficult and therefore we have taken the decision to close every restaurant in the UK and Ireland by 7pm today.

“We have not taken this decision lightly and know that our restaurants have been playing an important role in the community providing hundreds of thousands of free drinks to frontline health and social workers and emergency services personnel.

“But I have been clear throughout this that we would only continue to operate whilst it was safe for our people and together with our franchisees, we feel now is the time to make this decision to temporarily close.”

Staff employed directly by the company will receive full pay for their scheduled hours up to April 5, when it is hoped the government’s pledge to pay 80 per cent of workers’ wages comes into force.

Mr Pomroy added: “I want to thank every single one of our 135,000 employees.

“I am so proud of them all for adapting so quickly to a constantly evolving work environment, taking every step to keep our customers, couriers and teams safe and looking after each other so very well.

“Take care of one another in these unprecedented times, we look forward to seeing you again as soon as it is safe for us to reopen.”

All pubs, restaurants and cafes in the Melton borough have been closed since Saturday after Primer Minister Boris Johnson ramped up the measures to contain the Covid-19 virus.

Many have begun operating takeaway and delivery services, which are still allowed by the government.