Domino’s Pizza staff have been pictured at branches preparing food without gloves or masks, raising fears about the safety of takeaways during the coronavirus pandemic.
Kitchen staff and delivery drivers at the stores in Southampton were seen working in close proximity to one another, as the firm remains open despite the likes of McDonald’s, Pizza Express and KFC closing all stores.
Other staff were seen at a branch in Folkestone, Kent, on March 27 not wearing gloves or keeping to social distancing rules, in a video filmed by a former worker who said they had ‘left for my safety until this is all over’.
It follows the death of Domino’s worker Mofizul Islam, 49, who worked at the takeaway restaurant in Eskbank, Midlothian. Mr Islam had stopped working after the government announced the lockdown and died last week.
Domino’s – whose new chief executive Dominic Paul has joined midway through the crisis and started the job only last Monday – said the chain has ‘increased’ its sanitisation of food preparation areas, door handles and hot bags.
The company also claimed that the Government had ‘asked Domino’s stores to remain open and provide local communities freshly made pizza to help boost morale and keep people safe at home’.
Three weeks ago on March 23, the Government ordered all non-essential shops to close as part of a lockdown – but allowed pubs and restaurants to operate as hot food takeaways to serve people having to stay at home.
Domino’s staff at an outlet in Southampton are pictured falling bellow the recommended hygiene precautions set in place
Kitchen staff and delivery drivers at the stores in Southampton are seen working in close proximity to one another
The delivery firm has remained open in the face of the pandemic, despite outlets including McDonald’s and KFC shutting
Domino’s said it has ‘increased’ its sanitisation of food preparation areas and door handles. Staff in Southampton are pictured
Staff are photographed working in close proximity to one another at the Domino’s store in Southampton
Domino’s, pictured in Southampton, said it was following advice from the World Health Organization and the Government
Takeaways and deliveries can continue as long as people follow guidance on social distancing. The Government’s advice is that people can still get food delivered to them, but ordering by phone is ‘strongly advised’.
Domino’s said it was following the advice from the World Health Organization, Public Health England and the government, which recommends medical masks should be used by healthcare workers and people with symptoms of covid-19.
A spokesman for Domino’s told MailOnline: ‘The Government has asked Domino’s stores to remain open and provide local communities freshly made pizza to help boost morale and keep people safe at home.
‘The safety of colleagues and customers is Domino’s top priority so we’re working closely with Government and our environmental health authority, who has approved our colleague and customer safety plans.
‘We’ve made major changes such as Contact Free Delivery, stopping our collection service, ending cash handling, simplifying the menu, sanitization and improving our already frequent hand washing.
‘We’ve put in place floor markers to encourage colleagues to follow government advice for food production which says: ’employers must take reasonable action to implement the two-meter rule’.’
Domino’s said it asked staff to frequently wash their hands, rather than wear latex gloves, ‘which can spread germs if not used properly and changed frequently.’
Restaurants and pubs were ordered to close during the coronavirus lockdown, but many have been allowed to repurpose their businesses as takeaways.
Government guidance says people can still access their local takeaway, but people are not allowed to consume any food or drinks on the premises.
Domino’s has remained open, introducing a contactless delivery option for customers at checkout. Last month, Domino’s tweeted: ‘Domino’s is still OPEN to serve you.
Staff at a branch in Folkestone, Kent, on March 27 while not wearing gloves or respecting social distancing guidelines
A still from video filmed by a former Domino’s worker in Folkestone who said they had ‘left for my safety until this is all over’
Staff work in close proximity to each other at a Domino’s store in Folkestone despite the social distancing guidelines
Staff work at the Domino’s store in Folkestone as the pizza delivery firm is allowed to keep operating during the pandemic
Domino’s Pizza staff work at the outlet in Folkestone today as the pizza delivery firm continues to operate
‘Whether you prefer delivery or carry out from the store, we still offer easy ways to get you delicious pizza, including our new contactless delivery option to minimise contact between you and your delivery experts.’
In a separate post, the chain tweeted a photo explaining safety measures being taken its staff.
They also said team members wash their hands ‘after touching any surface’ and delivery drivers wash their hands ‘before and after every delivery run’, with pizza removed from the oven using a ‘pizza peel’ and then placed directly into a box.
Last week Domino’s said it had seen a massive spike in sales as customers stuck at home order in pizza. Order sizes have also grown.
A Dominio’s spokesman said Mr Islam had not worked for Domino’s since March 22, having decided not to come into work following the government’s nationwide lockdown.