MCDONALD'S has announced big changes to the way they are going to serve their food amid uncertainty over coronavirus.

A spokesman said 'restaurants will remain open for as long as it is safe to do so' but added they would need to 'temporarily change operations to ensure the wellbeing of our employees and customers consistent with the governments’ guidance on social distancing'.

Therefore from 5am tomorrow morning all restaurants will close seating areas and temporarily move to being takeaway, Drive Thru and McDelivery only.

• No restaurants will offer dine-in or table service, but the My McDonald’s App will continue to offer the opportunity to order and pay ahead for collection and Drive Thru

• Toilets and handwashing facilities will remain open wherever possible but seating areas and children's play areas will close

• With immediate effect, all of our Drive Thrus and all McDelivery orders via Uber Eats and Just Eat, will be contact-free, with no physical contact between customers, employees and couriers wherever possible.

A spokesman added: "The wellbeing of our employees, customers and suppliers remains of the greatest importance to us and these changes are designed with you all in mind.

"We have not taken this decision lightly and will continue to review this over the coming days."

This year's Monopoly promotion has also been delayed until the chain can be 'confident that customers can win, claim and redeem the prizes available'.

This year’s prizes include a number of luxury holidays, European city breaks and cruises which will have all been impacted by current and ongoing restrictions on international travel.

Free drinks 

From this week, in all UK McDonald's restaurants, all emergency services personnel, health and social care workers can have free drinks on sight of their work pass as a 'thank you'.