FILE PHOTO: A man leaves a McDonald's restaurant in London as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in London, Britain, March 18, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

(Reuters) - McDonald's Corp MCD.N said on Sunday it would temporarily close all its restaurants in the UK and Ireland by Monday evening because of the coronavirus outbreak.

“We have taken the difficult decision to close all McDonald’s restaurants in UK and Ireland by 7pm on Monday 23rd March at the latest”, the company said in a tweet.

Restaurants have been forced to shut doors or limit service to delivery and takeaway in many parts of the world in efforts to curb the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus.

In China, the epicenter of the virus, McDonald’s has reopened 95% of its restaurants, Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczinski said on Friday.

Separately, the fast-food chain has suspended share buybacks to help it navigate through the crisis, but has not changed its dividend policy.