McDonald’s has shut 12 restaurants for cleaning after a delivery driver visiting the Victorian stores tested positive to COVID-19.
The fast-food outlets will be shut and deep-cleaned after the driver made deliveries while he was asymptomatic and unaware he had COVID-19.
McDonald’s said in a statement that no employee has tested positive in connection to the driver and customers are not at risk.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to close and conduct a deep clean of 12 restaurants in Victoria, following confirmation a truck driver for an external service provider has tested positive for COVID-19.
“Potential close contacts and employees who have worked specific shifts during and after the truck driver’s delivery have been instructed not to return to work for 14 days and advised to be tested.”
Coronavirus shuts McDonald’s stores
The Department of Health confirmed the driver was an extended family member of a worker at Fawkner McDonald’s, where a cluster emerged on May 9.
So far 11 cases have been linked to the cluster, including four staff and seven close contacts. The Fawkner store was closed for five days for deep cleaning and opened its doors again on Wednesday staffed with workers from other outlets.
Among the close contacts of the Fawkner staff is a worker at the McDonald’s in Craigieburn, with that store also closed on Friday for cleaning.
Victorian deputy chief health officer Dr Annaliese van Diemen said McDonald’s workers who have been asked to stay at home won’t be returning until they have had a negative COVID-19 test.
“We worked very closely with McDonald’s and they have taken all steps required by us, and then some, and they’ve done a very extensive investigation very quickly,” she told reporters on Monday.
Another fast food chain has been hit with a coronavirus case. Domino’s Pizza Enterprises confirmed late on Sunday it was notified on Friday a worker at its Fairfield store had tested positive to COVID-19.
The store was closed immediately and will remain shuttered for at least 14 days while a deep clean is undertaken and staff and their families were advised to self-isolate and get tested.
McDonald’s stores closed in Melbourne:
* Melton East
* Laverton North
* Yallambie
* Taylors Lakes
* Campbellfield
* Sunbury
* Hoppers Crossing
* Riverdale Village
* Sandown
* Calder Highway Northbound/Outbound
* Calder Highway Southbound/Inbound
* BP Rockbank Service Centre Outbound
