Coronavirus: McDonald's to close all its UK restaurants and give its food away because of Covid-19

It comes after the firm closed all the seating areas of its restaurants earlier this week but continued to serve customers via its Uber Eats McDelivery service.

In a statement released online shortly after 8.30pm, the company also confirmed it would give its food to community groups in the proximity of its restaurants.

The full message said: ‘We have taken the difficult decision to close all McDonald’s restaurants in the UK and Ireland by 7pm on March 23 at the latest.

‘This is not a decision we are taking lightly, but one made with the well-being and safety of all our employees in mind as well as in the best interests of our customers.

‘We will work with work with local community groups to distribute food and drink from our restaurants in the coming days.

‘Thank you to our brilliant employees for their hard work during this incredibly challenging time.

‘Ae look forward to seeing you all again as soon as it is safe to open.’

Locally, there are McDonald’s restaurants in the following places:

- The Pompey Centre, Fratton

- Commercial Road, Portsmouth

- Portsmouth Road, Cosham

- Clement Attlee Way, North Harbour

- Larchwood Avenue, Bedhampton

- Hambledon Road, Waterlooville

- West Street, Fareham

- Speedfields Park, Fareham

- Brockhurst Gate, Gosport

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