McDonald's closes UK stores as coronavirus spreads

McDonald's will close all 1,270 of its restaurants in the UK by the end of today, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Previously, the fast food giant had closed its seating areas whilst continuing to offer takeaway and drive thru services.

“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,” Paul Pomroy, CEO, McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said in an email to customers.

“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, will ensure frontline health workers and emergency services personnel do not have to pay for any food or drink in our restaurants on sight of their work pass,” he added.

“The most socially responsible thing we could do to protect our crew, drivers and our customers,” Karl Boyce, Director of Digital, said in a LinkedIn post.

“We will use this time to support our restaurant teams, reflect and bring all our brilliant talent together to think big, so when it is safe to push open doors and start our digital channels back up, we are even better. Be ready.”