Senator Says He Wouldn’t Have Been Tested for New Virus Based on Current Guidelines
McDonald’s and Nando’s will close all their restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland starting Monday, including for takeout, to help limit the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.
The Epoch Times refers to the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, as the CCP virus because the Chinese Communist Party’s coverup and mismanagement allowed the virus to spread throughout China and create a global pandemic.
Paul Pomroy, CEO of McDonald’s UK and Ireland, said in a statement Sunday that the decision had been taken because it was “increasingly difficult” to maintain safe social distancing while operating “busy takeaway and drive thru restaurants.”
The UK government has advised against all non-essential social contact and is urging people to keep a distance of at least two meters if they need to leave their homes.
On Friday, it ordered all pubs, bars, and restaurants to close but said they could continue offering food and drink to go.
Nando’s said in a statement that eat in, takeaway, and delivery for customers “will all stop until further notice.”
Both chains said food from restaurants will be distributed to those most in need.
McDonald’s employs 135,000 people across more than 1,350 restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland, 86 percent of which were run by franchisees as of March 2019.
A spokesperson for McDonald’s said Monday that employees of company-owned restaurants would be paid for their scheduled hours until April 5. The spokesperson added that “franchisees set their own pay and conditions for their employees.”
“We are working closely with our franchisees during this challenging time and have shared our company guidance on pay for those employees who need to self-isolate or who contract coronavirus,” the spokesperson said.
McDonald’s said it will ensure that employees who are eligible can “fully benefit” from the support packages announced by the UK and Irish governments.
The company closed dining areas at its stores in the United States last week and urged franchisees to do the same. In several states, restaurants have been forced to do takeaway only.
Nando’s has over 400 company-owned restaurants across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The company did not respond to requests for comment on whether it will continue to pay staff salaries while restaurants are closed, or whether it will approach the government for help paying wages.
The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
This article is from the Internet:McDonald’s and Nando’s Shut Down All Their UK Restaurants, Even for Takeout
Partisanship Explodes as Senate Stumbles Toward $2 Trillion CCP Virus Economic Relief Deal