McDonald's worker tests positive for coronavirus
A McDonald’s restaurant in Sydney’s southwest is remaining open despite a staff member testing positive for COVID-19.
James Rickards, director of corporate relations for McDonald's, confirmed to Yahoo News Australia a staff member at Gregory Hills, is currently self-isolating at home after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
“There is no suggestion the crew member was exposed to COVID-19 in the restaurant,” he said in a statement.
“Upon receiving notification of the diagnosis from the NSW Department of Health, we immediately commenced notifying all employees who may have been in contact with the individual during their shifts.”
Mr Rickards added the NSW Department of Health has confirmed the frequency and standard of the restaurant’s sanitisation procedures and use of high-grade cleaning products meet their requirements and has authorised the restaurant to continue to trade.
“The health and safety of our people and our customers is our priority and McDonald’s Australia implements strict cleaning, quality control and hygiene procedures throughout every shift at each of our restaurants,” he said.
A person claiming to be an employee told the ABC they were concerned the staff member might have been in contact with more people adding McDonald’s workers do rotating shifts.
"I left the shift shaking, I was so scared," they told the ABC.
They also claim the employee, who was sent home last Friday, used the same drive-thru headset as another member of staff.
But that member of staff hasn’t been told to self-isolate, they said.
On Facebook, a woman who claims to have been in touch with McDonald’s, said the shift worker only worked on Friday before being sent home.
Yahoo News Australia has contacted McDonald’s for comment on this post.
NSW Health has also been contacted for comment.
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