Hundreds of people rushed to McDonald’s in Bangor today, as they opened the drive-thru for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown came into force ten weeks ago.

The fast-food giants are only serving a limited menu, no breakfast or shakes, and will open for reduced hours, between 11am-10pm, but that didn’t put hungry customers off as the first cars began to arrive at the drive-thru shortly after 10am this morning, ready for the opening.

A traffic control was in place and lanes were coned-off to avoid potential chaos, but that didn’t stop a line of traffic forming along Caernarfon Road this afternoon, as customers rushed for their first ’Big Mac’ for nearly three months.

Traffic Wales warned drivers of potential problems in an attempt to avoid any traffic chaos, they Tweeted : “With more drive-thrus starting to open across the network, please be aware nearby roads could get busier which could be a hazard for other road users.

“To help reduce the risk to yourself & others, please consider going at a quieter time to avoid queues.”

McDonald’s have been working closely with local authorities and the police prior to the reopening, and may determine that it is necessary to close Drive Thru lanes if the queues impact traffic or put employees or customers at risk.

Customers are encouraged to use contactless payment methods and each order will be capped at £25.

For those visiting our Drive Thrus, you can browse the menu, order and pay ahead using the My McDonald’s App – staff will then start preparing your order when you’re near the restaurant.

Safety

As restaurants reopen there will be fewer people working on each shift, and new measures will introduced to protect staff, including additional screens in kitchens and service areas to provide a safer environment and help the McDonald’s teams adhere to social distancing.

Staff will be required to wash their our hands at least every 30 minutes and sanitiser will be provided, staff will also be provided with additional protective equipment including face coverings.

Restaurants will be ’deep cleaned’ before opening and surfaces and equipment cleaned even more regularly.
Staff will also have their temperature of checked everyday with contactless thermometers.

Other measures the company promised would be in operation were:

  • Social distancing in kitchens and service areas to help create a safe working environment for restaurant teams.
  • Perspex screens at Drive-Thru windows as well as screens and floor markings in specific areas in the restaurant and kitchen.
  • Staff will be asked to confirm they are fit and able to work and contactless thermometers will be used to take employee temperatures on arrival for every shift.

Photo: Main Photo Bangor McDonalds (Top) Simon Horan & queues along Caernarfon Road