McDonald’s is reopening two drive-thru restaurants in Galway today as the fast food chain brings 20 more Irish branches back to life nationwide.
The two McDonald’s in Galway that are reopening are at Headford Retail Park and Westside Shopping Centre in Galway City.
New hygiene and social distancing measures have been put in place at all branches to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
They will be operating at reduced hours of between 11am and 10pm, and customers are advised to expect delays due to anticipated demand, and the staff getting accustomed to new practices.
A McDonald’s spokesperson said that they are working with An Garda Siochána, and it may become necessary to close drive-thru lanes if queues are disrupting traffic or putting people at risk.
The new measures which have been put in place to protect public health include:
- Social distancing has been introduced in the kitchens and service areas to help create a safe working environment for restaurant teams.
- Perspex screens at Drive Thru windows and employees wearing protective equipment, as well as Perspex screens and floor markings in specific areas in the restaurant and kitchen.
- All McDonald’s employees will be asked to confirm they are fit and able to work and contactless thermometers will be used to take employee temperatures on arrival at work for every shift.
- Ensuring delivery procedures with couriers are contactless for both our people and our customers.
- Restaurants will return with smaller teams, offering a limited menu and operating reduced hours.
- Encouraging capped spend for Drive Thru and McDelivery at €30 per order, and customers are encouraged to pay by contactless payment methods.
More branches are expected to reopen in the coming days, and by June 4 McDonald’s expects to have 1,000 restaurants open for drive-thru or delivery in the UK and Ireland.
