Fast food giant McDonald’s in Japan said Tuesday that its suspension of in-store dining, a measure currently in place in some prefectures in response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, will be expanded nationwide.

All of some 2,900 outlets of the fast food chain across Japan will stop allowing customers to dine in the stores from Wednesday to May 6.

The move is aimed at preventing the spread of the virus as many customers are expected to come to the stores during the Golden Week holiday period in early May.

The McDonald's restaurants will continue their takeout, drive-through and delivery services.

Since April 20, the company has been halting in-store dining at some 1,910 restaurants in Tokyo and 12 other prefectures singled out by the government for stepped-up measures against the coronavirus under its declaration of a state of emergency.

The state of emergency was expanded to cover the entire nation on April 16, after it was first issued on April 7 for Tokyo and six other prefectures.

The 13 prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka, have been singled out by the government for stepped-up measures against the coronavirus in its declaration of a state of emergency.

At the restaurants, McDonald's Japan will continue to accept takeout, drive-through and delivery orders.

It has stopped customer dining at its restaurants in eight prefectures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. next day and suspended restaurant operations in busy shopping districts.

Due to the further spread of infections, the company decided to strengthen measures in order to protect customers and restaurant staff members.

JIJI Press