This was the scene on the Strand Road today when the McDonald's drive thru reopened for the first time since the lockdown

A queue of cars extended out on to the Strand Road as locals waited in line to purchase food.

The same scene presented itself at the McDonald's drive-thru in Crescent Link where a makeshift traffic control system had to be deployed.

Staff wearing surgical masks ensured traffic moved as efficiently as possible by helping motorists into the correct lanes at the right time.

The Derry fast-food outlets were two of 24 McDonald's restaurants to reopen across the North for the first time since they closed because of the Coronavirus lockdown.

McDonald's has been forced to make some changes to facilitate the reopening of its drive thru restaurants.

These changes include fewer staff working in kitchens, limited menus (no breakfast or shakes), opening hours from 11.00am to 10.00pm and a cap of £25 on what each customer can spend.

Customers with the McDonald's app on their smartphones are encouraged to use the app to order and pay for their food before collection.

All McDonald’s employees will be asked to confirm they are fit and able to work and contactless thermometers will be used to take employee temperatures on arrival at work for every shift.

McDonald's decision to reopen its drive-thru restaurants is just the latest step being taken by the North's economy as it sets out to recover from the financial impact of COVID-19.

Earlier in the week, Ikea reopened its Belfast store where hundreds of shoppers queued outside - some people had been waiting in the queue from as early as 6.00am.

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