McDonald’s holding off on indoor reopening

Pause for 3 weeks amid nationwide COVID-19 surge

McDonald’s is halting plans to reopen its dining rooms for three weeks as COVID-19 cases rise in more than half of U.S. states.

The announcement by the Chicago-based fast-food giant comes as numerous states reimpose restrictions on bars, restaurants and other businesses just as consumers hoped to resume a sense of normalcy.

In a letter viewed by the Tribune, and first reported by The Wall Street Journal, McDonald’s said it is pausing dine-in reopening plans for 21 days. It cited a 65% increase in infections over the last two weeks and rising cases in 32 states over the last seven days.

The letter, dated Wednesday and addressed to the “McFamily,” was signed by McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger and National Franchisee Leadership Alliance Chair Mark Salebra.

The company is advising operators that have already reopened to review local and state guidance to determine whether they should revert to a takeout, delivery and drive-thru model. Owner/ operators that wish to pull back even when local regulations don’t require it should consult with the franchisee leaders but can decide on their own how to proceed, the letter said.

About 2,200 McDonald’s dining rooms, or 15% of its U.S. restaurants, are currently open.

Chicago last month started permitting indoor dining in restaurants, with restrictions, for the first time since mid-March. McDonald’s left it up to individual owners to determine when to reopen.

Illinois has maintained a low COVID-19 positivity rate for the past several weeks.

But in some states coronavirus cases are surging, and others are proactively pulling back reopening plans to prevent a similar resurgence.

Indiana will keep capacity limits in place for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues because of worries about a possible increase in coronavirus cases across the state, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday, according to The Associated Press.

California shut down bars and halted indoor dining at restaurants in 19 counties. Arizona decided last week to close its water parks and ordered bars, gyms and movie theaters in the state to close for 30 days.

New York City decided Wednesday not to let its restaurants resume indoor service next week.