MCDONALD’S has become the latest US corporate giant to require customers to wear masks as it pauses additional dining-room reopenings in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The fast-food giant, which has continued to serve in the US during the pandemic through its pick-up and drive-through sites, in a statement yesterday said it will “ask customers to wear face coverings when entering our US restaurants effective August 1”.

The requirement is consistent “with our top priority: protecting the health and well-being of… our franchisees, employees and customers”.

The action comes on the heels of recent announcements by Walmart, Target and a trove of US companies that have required customers to wear masks.

More states have required masks in recent weeks as Covid-19 spreads to the west and south of the US. But, such rules have drawn criticism from a minority of the country that has complained of having their liberty suppressed.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who early this month issued a statewide mask mandate after earlier resisting the move, yesterday said face coverings are supported by 85% of voters in his state.

“We do not want to shut down again,” he told CNBC.

“The only way we can go about this process of not shutting down is to embrace this prospect of wearing masks.”

McDonald’s said it is also holding off on reopening more dining rooms for another 30 days. – AFP, July 25, 2020.