McDonald's to temporarily close all UK, Ireland restaurants amid coronavirus outbreak

Record ID: 1465283

Title: McDonald's to temporarily close all UK, Ireland restaurants amid coronavirus outbreak
Date: 22nd March 2020
Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (FILE - 2019) (REUTERS) MCDONALDS SIGN CAR GOING THROUGH DRIVE THROUGH VARIOUS OF MCDONALDS FOOD (MUTE)
Embargoed: 6th April 2020 00:32
Keywords: COVID-19 Ireland McDonalds UK closure coronavirus
Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
Country: United Kingdom
Topics: Health/Medicine
Reuters ID: LVA001C64WM6F
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Story Text:McDonald's said on Sunday (March 22) it would temporarily close all its restaurants in the UK and Ireland by Monday evening because of the coronavirus outbreak.
"We have taken the difficult decision to close all McDonald's restaurants in UK and Ireland by 7pm on Monday 23rd March at the latest", the company said in a tweet.
Restaurants have been forced to shut doors or limit service to delivery and takeaway in many parts of the world in efforts to curb the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus.
In China, the epicenter of the virus, McDonald's has reopened 95% of its restaurants, Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczinski said on Friday.
Separately, the fast-food chain has suspended share buybacks to help it navigate through the crisis, but has not changed its dividend policy.
(Production: Edward Baran)
Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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