LONDON 25 Sep (ANA)  - Drive-thru and delivery services at McDonald’s are exempt from the 10pm curfew as new restrictions hit the UK tonight. 

 

A fresh coronavirus crackdown was unveiled on Tuesday, with pubs, bars and restaurants forced to close at 10pm from today as the country sees its third-largest jump in confirmed cases since the pandemic hit. 

 

While the new restrictions will cause ‘chaos’ for much of the ‘battered’ hospitality industry, McDonald’s and other similar fast-food restaurants are able to continue operating overnight by using a loophole.

 

 McDonald’s UK and Ireland CEO Paul Pomroy said on Wednesday the company ‘can continue to safely provide that overnight service’ through delivery or drive-thru services. He said: ‘With thanks to our delivery partners Uber Eats and Just Eat, more than 800 restaurants will also be offering McDelivery past 10pm.’

 

 The announcement follows Government rules that state: ‘Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises, can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service or drive-thru.’ McDonald’s and others must still abide by any local lockdown restrictions brought in. There are ‘local exceptions to the above, including additional restrictions in some areas’ that will play a role in which branches can remain open and at what times, Mr Pomroy said.(ANA)

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