Here's when McDonald's restaurants in Hemel Hempstead could reopen

McDonald’s is reopening some of its restaurants across the UK for walk-in takeaways from Wednesday (10 February).

The fast food chain decided to voluntarily pause walk-in takeaways services in all its branches last month to review its safety measures, instead only offering delivery and drive-thru.

From today (10 February), McDonald’s will reopen 26 of its restaurants for takeaway to test its new safety measures, with the hope of opening all branches in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland from 22 February onwards.

At this time, it isn't known which restaurants have been chosen for this trial to test the new safety measures the fast food chain are using.

Hemel Hempstead has four restaurants - Jarman Fields Leisure Centre, Apsley, Maylands Avenue or Bourne End.

Paul Pomroy, McDonald’s chief executive officer, said: “Over the past four weeks, we've worked with third-party safety experts NSF International, our restaurant teams, and franchisees to review all of the safety and operational processes in place in our restaurants.

“During this review, we identified the additional changes we could make to further enhance our safety procedures. We are in the process of rolling out these measures to all restaurants across the UK & Ireland, and I am pleased to confirm we intend to start reopening for walk-in Takeaway from Monday 22nd February 2021."

Enhanced safety measures

The chain took the decision to close for takeaway in January to review and test extra safety measures to keep both staff and customers safe.

These measure include:

> Visors as well as face coverings for customer-facing employees

> Additional restrictions on the number of customers and couriers allowed into restaurants

> Revised guidance and processes for the couriers from Uber Eats and Just Eat to support their safe working

> Enhanced processes for managing the flow of people, employees and couriers inside the restaurant.

Customers are reminded that they are required by law to wear a face covering when inside McDonald’s restaurants, unless they are exempt, and staff will have spare masks available if required.

The restaurant also asks that customers sanitise their hands on arrival and sanitising stations will be made bigger over the coming weeks to ensure people have easy access around the restaurant.

Mr Pomroy added: “We still have smaller teams working with screens and social distancing measures in our kitchen and service areas.

"This means it will take longer than usual to serve you, and so I thank you again for your continued patience and kindness.

“Our opening hours will continue to vary so please do check the My McDonald's app or our website before you travel.”