McDonalds open in Kildare: But warning that drive-thru facilities may close if traffic jams result

Three McDonald’s Drive Thru restaurants will reopen in Kildare with new measures in place to help keep employees and customers safe. 

Long queues are expected at the outlets at:

• Moorefield, Newbridge;
• Carton Retail Park, Maynooth;
• Monread Road, Naas.

But the restaurant chain warned that drive-thrus may close if traffic congestion becomes a disruption. 

The reopening of McDonalds outlets in Dublin last month saw lines of dozens of vehicles. 

The fast food franchise said that 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.

The restaurants will be operating with reduced hours, between 11am and 10pm.

McDonald’s and its franchisees are working closely with An Garda Síochána, 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, McDonald’s has introduced a number of changes to their restaurants, including:

• 
  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 staff and 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.

As employees and the business adapt to a new way of working, McDonald’s would like to thank customers for their continued support and patience. 

Between 2nd and 4th June over 1000 McDonald’s restaurants will be open in the UK and Ireland, either for Drive Thru or McDelivery. 

The Kildare Drive Thru restaurants are among 20 McDonald’s restaurants reopening today.