Carrickfergus McDonald’s reopening details

The fast food giant says the return to business at the Rodgers Quay branch follows a successful pilot in May.

With restaurant teams adjusting to new procedures to enable safe working and social distancing, things may take a little longer – and high demand is anticipated.

McDonald’s and its franchisees are working closely with local authorities and the police, and may determine that it is necessary to close ‘Drive Thru’ lanes if queues cause disruption at busier sites or put employees or customers at risk.

To help create a safe experience for everyone, a number of changes have been introduced to the restaurants, including:

Social distancing 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 £25 per order, and customers are encouraged to pay by contactless payment methods,

For those visiting Drive Thrus, customers can browse the menu, order and pay ahead using the My McDonald’s App

Meanwhile, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has added his support to the reopening programme.

Mr Poots said: “The reopening of McDonald’s is very encouraging and welcome news for our beef and dairy sectors. Fast food outlets purchase large quantities of produce from our farmers and their temporary closure had a big impact on the agri-food sector. They have gone to great lengths to put in place social distancing measures that will protect their staff and their customers.

“The importance of getting this market open and moving again cannot be underestimated and will be a relief for many of those who supply McDonald’s with their high-quality, locally reared beef and dairy produce. As we move into recovery after Covid-19, my priority has been and will continue to be, ensuring that we have a profitable and sustainable agriculture sector that is ready and able to meet the rising demands of the market once it opens fully again.”

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