McDonald's drive thru has reopened in Castlebar

THE McDonald's drive thru restaurant in Castlebar has reopened this morning.

There was a great buzz as manager Martin Cramp removed the 'closed' sign and got ready to welcome their first customers since the restaurant closed on March 24.

The first customer served was Paul Clarke.

For now, they are serving a limited menu but you can get all the McDonald's classics.

The drive thru is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

As large numbers of customers are expected at the Castlebar drive-thru, motorists are advised that there will be no right turn into McDonalds as you approach from the roundabout at Aldi and Next.

Instead, customers are asked to drive down to the Westport Road roundabout, and come back up by Lough Lannagh, taking a left-turn into McDonalds.

It's hoped to open the restaurant for eat in and takeaway at the end of the month, subject to legislation allowing for 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.

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 our 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 €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.

As of June 4, over 1,000 McDonald’s restaurants have reopened in the UK and Ireland, either for Drive Thru or McDelivery.

The Drive Thru restaurant in Castlebar is among 23 McDonald’s restaurants reopening today

View video of interview with Martin Cramp this morning here: https://www.facebook.com/ConnaughtTelegraph/videos/2613095042283035/