Huge queues outside McDonald's drive-thrus as first five North East locations open to customers

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Pictures show long queues outside McDonald’s drive-thrus as the international fast food chain begins opening to customers this week – here is the list of the North East locations opening on Tuesday, June 2.

McDonald’s temporarily closed its chain of fast food restaurants in March for the safety of employees and customers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

However as lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease, bosses at the fast food chain have announced the locations of 168 drive-thrus which have opened to UK customers at 11am today (Tuesday, June 2).

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So far this includes just five North East McDonald’s drive-thrus – one at the Metro Retail Park in Gateshead and the other four in Darlington, Newton Aycliffe and West Auckland:

Long queues outside McDonald's in Gateshead before 12pm on opening day. Pictures by North News and PicturesLong queues outside McDonald's in Gateshead before 12pm on opening day. Pictures by North News and Pictures
Long queues outside McDonald's in Gateshead before 12pm on opening day. Pictures by North News and Pictures | Other 3rd Party

Restaurants opening drive-thrus on Tuesday, June 2:

Gateshead – Metro Retail Park

Darlington – Morton Park Way

Newton Aycliffe – Newton Park Services

Pictures show extent of queues for McDonald's in Gateshead. Pictures by North East Live Traffic.Pictures show extent of queues for McDonald's in Gateshead. Pictures by North East Live Traffic.
Pictures show extent of queues for McDonald's in Gateshead. Pictures by North East Live Traffic. | Other 3rd Party

West Auckland – Abraham Enterprise Park

Darlington – North Road Industrial Estate

Long queues have already begun to form outside the McDrive-thru at Metro Retail Park in Gateshead – the only establishment to open to customers in the Tyne and Wear area.

McDonald’s is expected to release the locations of the drive-thrus, which will open to customers between today and Thursday, June 4, every morning.

Pictures by North News and PicturesPictures by North News and Pictures
Pictures by North News and Pictures | Other 3rd Party

As drive-thrus and some McDelivery services are reopened, bosses say they will be operating at reduced hours between 11am and 10pm and a reduced menu will be on offer.

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A spokesman for McDonald’s said: “As we open our restaurants, we will have fewer people working on each shift, and we will be introducing new measures including additional screens in our kitchens and service areas to provide a safer environment and help our teams adhere to social distancing.

“We encourage you to use contactless payment methods and cap your spend at £25.”

McDonald’s says teams will be washing their hands at least every 30 minutes and is providing sanitiser for staff and delivery partners.

Pictures by North East Live Traffic.Pictures by North East Live Traffic.
Pictures by North East Live Traffic. | Other 3rd Party

Teams are being given additional protective equipment including face coverings and McDonald’s will be checking the temperature of staff members everyday with contactless thermometers.

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Those visiting McDonald’s drive-thrus can browse the menu, order and pay in advance using the McDonald’s app.

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McDonald's has opened 168 drive-thrus today. Pictures by North News and PicturesMcDonald's has opened 168 drive-thrus today. Pictures by North News and Pictures
McDonald's has opened 168 drive-thrus today. Pictures by North News and Pictures | Other 3rd Party

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