Barry McDonald's customers will no longer be able to dine-in at the popular fast-food restaurant and the popular Monopoly promotion has been postponed as the coronavirus continues to make an impact across the country.

Paul Pomroy, Chief Executive Officer of McDonald's the UK and Ireland, said: ''Following continued developments and updated guidance from the governments and health authorities, I wanted to share an update from McDonald's UK and Ireland.

''Our restaurants will remain open for as long as it is safe to do so. In the last 24 hours, it has become clear that we need to temporarily change our operations to ensure the wellbeing of our employees and customers consistent with the governments' guidance on social distancing.

''Therefore from 5 am [today] 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 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.

''We will continue to implement our strengthened, detailed cleaning procedures both in our restaurants and with our McDelivery partners to ensure we maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and food safety.

''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.

''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.

''As we review the broader implications of the pandemic, we have taken the decision to delay this year's Monopoly promotion until we 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.

''Following conversations with our suppliers and prize partners, we feel it is appropriate to delay the promotion until later this year.

''I apologise for any disappointment caused by this update and I look forward to Monopoly returning to our restaurants as soon as possible.

''Thanking those helping us all.

''Whilst it is safe to remain open, we want to do what we can to support those services working tirelessly to keep us all safe and well. From this week, in all UK restaurants, we are offering all emergency services personnel, health and social care workers free drinks, on the sight of their work pass.

''It is a small token of our appreciation for everything that these services are doing and we will continue to keep this under review as government and health authority guidance develops.

''As this situations evolves, we will continue to keep you updated through email, our social media channels and website. We will ensure our restaurant locator reflects the best available information relating to any necessary closures or further changes to services.

''For more information on steps you can take to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health & Social Care website.

''Thank you once again for all your support in keeping one another safe.''