Last week, McDonald’s instructed its franchises on steps they should take to re-close dining rooms in areas where the Delta variant of COVID-19 is rapidly spreading, according to internal company materials, reports Reuters.
"We have a much deeper sense of what actions make a difference for the safety of our restaurant teams and crew," McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger said during a conference call last week, according to the materials. On the call, executives urged franchisees to consider closing indoor seating in counties where COVID cases exceed 250 per 100,000 people on a rolling three-week average.
The materials did not specify how many locations have shut indoor seating or could soon do so.
McDonald’s temporarily closed indoor dining at nearly all U.S. locations in early 2020, but reopened 70 percent by last month. On July 28, the chain said it was on track to open 100 percent by Labor day, barring any COVID-19 resurgence.
"We’re monitoring the impact of the Delta variant closely and recently convened together with our franchisees to underscore existing safety protocols, reinforce our people first approach and provide updates on the rise in cases in the country," McDonald's Corp. said in a statement on Friday. Full Story
Related: Specialty Food Retailers, Eateries Plan NYC Openings; Danny Meyer Talks NYC Vaccination Requirement.
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