McDonald’s workers at NSW stores must now wear face masks

Customers looking to get a burger or fast food fix will notice a change across McDonald’s stores in NSW, as the state tries to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Employees at McDonald’s stores across New South Wales must now wear a face mask during their shifts.

A spokesman for McDonald’s told NCA NewsWire the measures were prompted by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urging people working in hospitality or retail to wear a mask.

“All employees are required to wear gloves and serve our customers from behind plastic screens at the front counter and drive-through window to prevent the potential for any direct contact,” the spokesman said.

 “The health and safety of our people and customers has always been our priority and McDonald’s remains committed to following the Government’s guidance.”

Employees will be supplied with three-ply surgical masks suitable for kitchen use, and that meet government standards.

Appropriate training will also be provided to all employees.

Staff at McDonald’s stores across New South Wales must now wear a face mask during their shifts, amid growing calls to make masks mandatory. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

“McDonald’s has established health and safety procedures for the use of masks in our restaurants and appropriate training will be provided to all employees,” the spokesman said.

“McDonald’s also has strict social distancing procedures in place throughout its restaurants, including the front counter, drive-through window and kitchen areas.

“Every day, in every shift, our employees are also following strict cleaning, sanitisation, quality control and hygiene procedures.”

McDonald's Australia CEO Andrew Gregory told 2GB the fast-food giant needs to take responsibility.

“It’s the right thing to do,” he said.

“We’ve got adequate supplies of masks and we have been working to make sure of that.”

McDonald's workers in Melbourne were told to wear a face mask last month when cases of COVID-19 were just beginning to surge in the state.