McDonald's is carrying out tests to prepare to reopen its restaurants, its UK boss has said.
The fast food chain closed all its UK restaurants on March 23, when a UK wide coronavirus lockdown was announced.
It has now issued a new statement over potentially opening UK restaurants, confirming it will carry out "operational tests" this week to explore what reopening might look like.
Paul Pomroy, McDonald's chief executive officer for UK and Ireland, said it decided to close its restaurants temporarily for "the safety of our people and customers" and that the chain would stay closed for now.
However, he explained that the business has recently begun looking at a "potential and limited reopening".
Social distancing measures will be tested out, as will protective clothing, equipment options and serving a smaller menu.
Mr Pomroy added: "Restarting our business is not an easy task even when reopening in a limited capacity.
McDonald's is permitted to open during the lockdown as it offers takeaway and delivery services.
"We have set ourselves some key criteria for reopening, all of which take time - first and foremost ensuring the wellbeing of our people and creating the right environment for them to return to work; secondly ensuring we have enough supply of fresh produce; and finally working in step with government guidelines to ensure the safety of our customers.
"For now we remain closed, and will only reopen when we are absolutely confident we can have the right measures in place to ensure everyone's wellbeing."
Although Mr Pomroy did not give a specific reopening date, a report in the Irish Farmers Journal claims McDonald's aims to reopen some sites by mid-May.
