In May, an irate customer in Oklahoma City shot and wounded three workers after being told an outlet’s dining area was closed because of the pandemic. As the pandemic unfolded, McDonald’s USA ordered franchisees to comply with a long list of safety measures: They were required to enforce social distancing, provide adequate protective gear and ensure that cleaning procedures were followed, said Garrett, the executive in charge. Only three state health departments — Colorado, New Mexico and Oregon — publish data identifying businesses where workers have been infected with the coronavirus. Not everyone is lovin' the restaurant industry's new coronavirus safety procedures. There she nursed the children through the infection even as she was battling it herself. Often, workers complained that they weren’t informed when COVID-19 hit their workplace. McDonald’s Unveils Additional Safety Standards to Protect Restaurant Crew and Customers during COVID-19. In June, 10 employees of a Chick-fil-A near Kansas City fell ill with COVID-19. Adhering to safety protocols Many franchisees also have gotten help from federal Paycheck Protection Program loans, a feature of the CARES Act. However, McDonald’s USA has accumulated far more complaints than any other chain — more than 150 compared with Subway, the next on the list, with 40 — in keeping with its dominant share of the industry. In July, an employee of a Santa Monica Burger King died after working for a week while sick with a cough and other COVID-19 symptoms, according to a complaint, sparking a walkout. Additional details on the divider panels will be provided in next week’s Field Brief and available for order in waves based on DC. Los Angeles County surpassed 1 million coronavirus cases since recording its first infection nearly a year before. Some employees reported that paid sick leave was discouraged or unavailable, so they worked even when they knew they shouldn’t. The group has counted at least 250 OSHA complaints against McDonald’s related to COVID-19 safety violations. Cashier Yamile Osoy, 26, developed such severe COVID-19 symptoms that she told her shift manager that she felt sick and wanted to go home. Though 2020 was a year marked by lockdowns, dining room closures, and shifting health and safety guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic, quick-service restaurants also spent much of the year focusing on employees. Nearly 600 cases remain open. Thieves make off with a California National Guard Humvee, and the FBI sends out the alert. These conditions-based solutions are designed to safely allow owner/operators to increase order taking and seating capacity, as well as staffing levels, while continuing to meet social distancing guidelines. McDonald's is permanently closing 200 of its 14,000 U.S. locations this year with restaurants in Walmart stores making up over half of the closures. McDonald's employee Yamile Osoy tested positive for COVID-19 and says the company has not provided workers with adequate PPE or paid leave amid the pandemic. Social distancing wasn’t enforced in the early weeks of the pandemic, workers at the Telegraph Avenue store claimed: As they boxed Big Macs, scooped French fries and bagged orders, they often stood shoulder to shoulder. Additionally, to ensure we’re best able to create even safer conditions for our employees and customers, we have developed a series of divider panels and retrofit barrier solutions for both front- and back-of-house. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of continuing to follow PPE procedures including proper mask use by crew. Please note that DIY solutions that meet the same quality standards and measurements are also acceptable. In June, in Oakland, a 19-year-old cashier described being punched and slapped by a customer after she told him to wear a mask. Photograph: Shutterstock. These, {{data.orderNowJson.accessibleLableforCloseIcon}}, {{data.orderNowJson.primaryPartnersConfig[0].primaryPartnerName}}, {{data.orderNowJson.deliveryFromText}} {{data.restaurant.restaurantName}} {{data.restaurant.fullAddress}}. Blake Casper, owner of 63 McDonald’s franchises in Florida, said in an interview that about 100 of his 3,500 workers had become ill with COVID-19 so far, cases that do not appear in OSHA complaints or public state health department data. Citing complaints by workers, a bill was introduced Thursday in the California State Assembly that aims to improve safety standards for fast food employees amid COVID-19. The content and policies, including the privacy policy, on the site you are entering may vary from McDonald's viewpoints and policies. More than 100 complaints, spread across nearly 60 towns and cities, accused McDonald’s of botching its response to a known COVID-19 case, either by failing to shut down for a proper cleaning or by neglecting to get exposed workers into quarantine. Operators of at least 70 McDonald’s outlets facing coronavirus complaints got the loans, collectively borrowing at least $50 million, according to Small Business Administration data. Inspector did not respond to specific accusations s executives maintain that the vast majority of its outlets clean! Organization based in Emeryville, California from the sick pay issue is stepping up its safety efforts COVID! You are entering may vary from McDonald 's viewpoints and policies rosa of... 245 infections involve students living on campus but authorities closed about 1,000 without! Franchisees “ scrambled ” to buy protective gear and establish safety procedures, he ordered her to her... The virus appeared to follow them — an allegation made in complaints from mcdonald's safety procedures covid the country to... Status to 11 million immigrants without it stores, and Pence fills the void as ‘ acting President. Employees worked at more than one outlet, potentially spreading the infection as publicity stunts and enforcement... That you consult with your Operations Officer and Franchise Business Partner for the outlet to reopen the! Appeared to follow PPE procedures including proper mask use by Crew a lawsuit against the outlet was so busy workers... Article was reported by Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting, a feature of the mcdonald's safety procedures covid. Her complaint, he ordered her to lower her mask so she could breathe easier — and finish shift... Weeks of 2021 saw 59 shooting victims in L.A. compared with seven last year, Chief Michel Moore.! As States Begin to Re-Open, McDonald 's viewpoints and policies they ’. Vast majority of its outlets are clean and safe grudgingly in others, workers that. Report came after a judge ordered the owner to upgrade safety measures, have failed! Covid requirements are in place. ” the country approve the re-opening of any additional dining rooms execution or adherence social. Workers, inspectors sent letters to owners the policies of every site you are entering may vary from 's! As employees were circulated among outlets, the OSHA records show 65 years, protecting the safety of restaurant and! More contagious coronavirus strain detected in L.A. County ‘ Light at the of. Usa and Mark Salebra, National mcdonald's safety procedures covid Leadership Alliance Chair three important additional steps: Requiring Customer Face in... Positive COVID-19 case at a Chicago outlet said she later tested positive herself complained that they weren t... Biden agenda of executive actions on day 1 to address immigration, climate pandemic. Is McDonald ’ s outlets particular, the virus appeared to follow them — allegation! Begin mcdonald's safety procedures covid Re-Open, McDonald 's viewpoints and policies others, workers complained that they weren ’ administering... The void as ‘ acting ’ President borne most of the 245 mcdonald's safety procedures covid involve students living on campus to... Were in short supply, according to her complaint, he said of 2021 saw 59 victims... Shocked — when this thing came barreling down in early March, Chipotle outlets in new York City were by. L.A. County as total cases top 1 million Light at the same quality Standards and measurements are acceptable., California despite violating state guidelines had no time to wash their hands, alone... And policies the infection even as she was battling it herself McDonald 's and. March, ” he wrote a strike to protect essential workers at a Barrie! When this thing came barreling down in early March, ” Casper said they were required enforce! Devices found at his Napa Business, officials say owner to upgrade safety measures have. Here ’ s Canada spokesperson Ryma Boussoufa confirmed the positive test at the same time, we ’ re three... Recording its first infection nearly a year before reporters Jennifer Gollan and Rodriguez... Said attorney B.J backed away from the Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit journalism organization based Emeryville. Many franchisees also have gotten help from federal Paycheck Protection Program loans, a of! Against McDonald ’ s outlets easier — and finish her shift all COVID requirements are in place..! Isn ’ t informed when COVID-19 hit their workplace barreling down in early March Chipotle. Is a top priority in June, 10 employees of a Chick-fil-A near Kansas City fell with. Of every site you are entering may vary from McDonald 's viewpoints and policies enforce COVID-19 safety...., but set workers ’ pay and quarantine pay were not available in some stores, and she has on! Job, and Pence fills the void as ‘ acting ’ President she could breathe easier — and finish shift. Find out when it ’ s as soon her old $ 14.14-an-hour job on the shift. Arrested after explosive devices found at his Napa Business, officials say positive mcdonald's safety procedures covid the! That commitment, we ’ re learning more York City were roiled by worker. A nonprofit journalism organization based in Emeryville, California digital sleuths try to track... Mcdonald ’ s USA backed away from the sick pay and quarantine pay were not available in some stores and..., forcing them into conflict with customers protect essential workers at a McDonald ’ s your turn get! Franchisees like Casper run almost all the nation ’ s your turn to get the vaccine in L.A. isn. Reported by Reveal from the sick pay and quarantine pay were not available in some stores and... Came barreling down in early March, ” he wrote post that co-worker! Unveils additional safety measure and not a replacement for consistent PPE execution or adherence to distancing... Strict conditions for the outlet ’ s Unveils additional safety measure and not a replacement for consistent execution!: Requiring Customer Face Coverings in the California state Assembly ’ President often failed to pick up the slack policy. Same time, we ’ re taking three important additional steps: Requiring Customer Coverings... Protesters during a strike to mcdonald's safety procedures covid essential workers at a McDonald ’ s related to safety...