McDonald's announces changes to Luton restaurants' opening hours

It was exactly six months ago today that the fast food chain closed all UK and Ireland restaurants at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Since gradually reopening its 1,300 units, the chain has implemented test and trace procedures and social distancing throughout the summer.

Paul Pomroy, CEO of McDonald's UK and Ireland said: "This week’s announcement from the Prime Minister has led to a number of questions around which services we will be offering when and where, so I wanted to provide you with an update.

"Because of the enhanced safety measures we’ve introduced, we will operate as follows from Thursday, September 24 (today)."

> Between 5am and 10pm, customers can order takeaways, dine in at restaurants, order drive-thru and McDelivery® through Uber Eats and Just Eat at participating locations;

> Dine-in customers will continue to be served by table service, with numbers inside the restaurant carefully managed to maintain social distancing;

> Posters will be displayed at every restaurant to register your visit and check-in via the NHS Test and Trace App;

> Face Coverings will continue to be required for employees and customers, except while seated in the dining area;

> After 10pm, drive-thru lanes will remain open and McDelivery® will continue to be available via Uber Eats and Just Eat at participating locations.

Mr Pomroy added: "For many years we have been proud to serve customers overnight, providing a familiar beacon in towns and cities across the country, offering great value to night workers, emergency service personnel, night owls and early risers across the UK.

"The safety measures in place in our kitchens and service areas means we can continue to safely provide that overnight service in 800 Drive-thrus. With thanks to our delivery partners Uber Eats and Just Eat, more than 800 restaurants will also be offering McDelivery® past 10pm also.

"There are, and will continue to be, local exceptions to the above, including additional restrictions in some areas. We will be guided by local and national government regulations and will ensure the My McDonald’s app, our website and delivery partner apps are kept up to date with the latest available services and opening hours in your area.

"We know the new measures introduced by us or the health authorities take some adjusting to, I am very grateful for the support and patience you have shown as we’ve implemented these changes. From screens in service areas, dining rooms, and the kitchen, to face coverings, visors and hand sanitising, you have helped us adapt to new ways of working, with smaller teams serving a reduced menu and I thank you for your ongoing support and adherence to these processes.

"It is incumbent upon all of us to take the necessary steps to protect one another at the moment. From supporting the most vulnerable through our partnership with FareShare and the End Child Poverty Now campaign, to simply following the health authorities’ advice on staying safe; we will continue to play our part in helping us navigate this continuing pandemic.

"We really missed our customers and colleagues during our temporary closure, and we are pleased that our safety measures and procedures along with following government guidelines allow us to continue to serve you your McDonald’s favourites."