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SCMP Reporter

McDonald's staff yesterday began wearing face masks after the company issued them to all its employees.

The move followed expressions of concern that McDonald's was being slow to follow the lead of other restaurants and fast-food outlets in making the anti-pneumonia measure compulsory.

Broadcaster and South China Morning Post commentator Albert Cheng King-hon said: 'I was going to call for a boycott of McDonald's if they didn't make their employees wear masks. A lot of people have remarked on it so I'm glad they've taken this step.'

Cafe de Coral has also distributed surgical masks to staff  and requires them to be worn while on duty.

The covering up of fast-food workers comes after Deputy Director of Health Leung Pak-yin urged food producers to keep a high standard of personal hygiene while preparing meals. The Department of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued reminders to restaurants, recommending that they allow staff to wear masks.

McDonald's Hong Kong said yesterday it had also asked all kitchen workers to wear surgical gloves. And staff who have been to places where an infection is known to have occurred are being told to stay away from work.

'We require all crew members to use McDonald's anti-microbial handwash every hour. They also must clean their hands using a designated hand-cleansing gel every half an hour,'' said a spokesman for the company in a written statement.

Workers at Cafe de Coral confirmed that the company's new hygiene measures were in force. 'We also clean tables, trays and the floor more frequently with detergent,'' said a manager at one branch. There was no official comment from Cafe de Coral yesterday.

Regular restaurant diner Shirley Wong, a company director, said she would not go to restaurants if their staff did not wear face masks. 'Before the outbreak, I would say it was strange to see restaurant workers wearing face masks, but now if they don't, they are putting public health at risk,'' she said.



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McDonald's workers cover up after concerns are raised over hygiene