FAST food fans will once again be lovin’ it as of this morning after McDonald’s announced the reopening of its Andover Drive-Thrus.

The company has confirmed that its outlets in New Street and Andover Trade Park were reopened for Drive Thru and McDelivery as of 11am this morning (Tuesday).

Both sites will be operating with new measure in place to help keep employees and customers safe.

It follows a successful pilot of selected McDonald’s stores last month. In the coming days, more than 1,000 McDonald’s restaurants will be open in the UK and Ireland, either for Drive-Thru or McDelivery.

Andover’s outlets are amongst those selected to open first.

Company management says that things may ‘take a little longer’ with teams adjusting to new procedures, and high demand is anticipated.

Stores are also said to be working with local authorities and the police and may determine that it is necessary to close Drive Thru lanes if queues cause disruption at busier sites or put employees or customers at risk.

To help create a safe experience for everyone, McDonald’s has introduced a number of changes to their restaurants, including:

- Social distancing has been introduced in the kitchens and service areas to help create a safe working environment for restaurant teams.

- Perspex screens at Drive-Thru windows and employees wearing protective equipment, as well as Perspex screens and floor markings in specific areas in the restaurant and kitchen.

- All McDonald’s employees will be asked to confirm they are fit and able to work and contactless thermometers will be used to take employee temperatures on arrival at work for every shift.

- Ensuring our delivery procedures with couriers are contactless for both our people and our customers

- Restaurants will return with smaller teams, offering a limited menu* and operating reduced hours.

- Encouraging capped spend for Drive-Thru and McDelivery at £25 per order, and customers are encouraged to pay by contactless payment methods,

- For those visiting Drive-Thrus, customers can browse the menu, order and pay ahead using the My McDonald’s App