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Paul Pomroy, Chief Executive Officer of
McDonald’s UK & Ireland said: "Over the last 24 hours, it has become clear that maintaining safe social distancing whilst operating busy takeaway and Drive Thru restaurants is increasingly difficult and therefore we have taken the decision to close every restaurant in the UK and Ireland by 7pm on Monday 23rd March at the latest.
Mr Pomroy said the decision was not taken lightly, saying the restaurants have played an important role in the community by
providing free drinks to frontline health and social workers and emergency services personnel.
The statement continued: "But I have been clear throughout this that we would only continue to operate whilst it was safe for our people and together with our franchisees, we feel now is the time to make this decision to temporarily close.
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