Fast food firm shuts all outlets

The chief executive officer of fast food retailer, McDonald’s, in the UK has announced its latest response to Covid-19.

Following a move to only takeaway and drive-thru options last week, the iconic food brand has now confirmed it will close all its 1,270 restaurants in the UK by 7pm on today after it became “clear that maintaining safe social distancing whilst operating busy takeaway and Drive Thru restaurants is increasingly difficult.”

In a statement Paul Pomrey, CEO said: “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.”

Adding that: “We will be working closely with community groups across the UK and Ireland to distribute food from our restaurants to those most in need, and ahead of closing.

“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.”

A spokesperson told the BBC that staff employed directly by the company would receive full pay for their scheduled hours until 5 April and that the expect franchises, which decide their own pay policies, will also follow suit.

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