McDonald's bans dining in after 6pm

McDonald's says it will still provide takeaways and a delivery service in the evenings. File image: Shutterstock

McDonald's has announced that customers will temporarily be banned from sitting down in its Hong Kong restaurants after 6pm in the evenings, with the move designed to help increase "social distancing" during the coronavirus outbreak.



The restriction will come into place on Wednesday and will last for at least two weeks. People will still be able to go inside restaurants and order takeaway, and delivery services will continue.



However, the fast food chain said it won't deliver to a customer's door if he or she is in quarantine, and such deliveries will be dropped off in the building's lobby.



It wasn't clear exactly how the company envisaged the food would complete the final stage of its journey to the customer in such a scenario, especially if that person lives on their own.



McDonald's also said it will not deliver to individual flats in buildings where there have been confirmed cases of Covid-19.



It said the new arrangements are to protect the health of its staff and customers.