Fast food chains have temporarily closed their restaurants

Costa Coffee and Starbucks have taken the same step due to COVID-19.

Several big fast food and coffee chains, including McDonald’s, have decided to suspend their operation amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

South African chain Nando’s closed its restaurants on March 22 until further notice saying the health and safety of its employees and customers is its highest priority at the moment.

“We have made the difficult decision to close all restaurant Eat In, Collect and Delivery services in the UK and Ireland,” the company wrote on Facebook.

It added “our remaining will be given away to those who need it most across the community.”

McDonald’s closing as well

American fast food chain McDonald’s did the same on March 23 by 19:00. On the social media, people criticised McDonald’s for failing to inform its staff first about the decision.

“We will work with local community groups to responsibly distribute food and drink from our restaurants in the coming days,” the firm added on Facebook.

Another food chain, Supermac’s, will close restaurants across Ireland on Thursday, March 26 by 19:00.

“We have taken the decision to authorise our Franchise Owners to close all their stores in the UK and Ireland, from 17:00 today, March 23,” Subway wrote on its website.

The company said it is the right thing to do as by supporting social distancing it helps protect wider communities not only its customers.

Coffee chains

The British coffee chain Costa Coffee posted on Facebook on March 23 that its stores will remain closed, too.

“In line with latest government guidelines, we have closed all Costa Coffee stores across Ireland and Northern Ireland temporarily until further notice,” the company said.

It was only a few days ago when Costa Coffee announced it began to serve drinks in takeaway cups and food in takeaway packaging. Moreover, seating areas in stores were closed for customers.

Starbucks closed is stores in Northern Ireland on March 20 until further notice as well. The same decision was made for Ireland where Starbucks coffee stores will be temporarily closed by the March 23 evening.