ENVIRONMENT Secretary, George Eustice, says fast-food restaurants like KFC, McDonald's and Burger King can re-open for deliveries and take-aways, but stressed the need for safety and social distancing.

>> Southend KFC re-opens for deliveries

He was asked at the Downing Street press briefing if fast food outlets could have stayed open during the crisis.

Mr Eustice said: "While clearly restaurants and pubs had to close, we were quite keen to keep that capacity to be able to do takeaway food for people."

He suggested reduced footfall in town centres, staff anxiety and a sense of what was "socially acceptable" given the stay-at-home message had led to places such as McDonald's and KFC closing.

Mr Eustice went on: "I think it is quite possible for these venues to re-open and re-open safely, we never mandated that they should close.

"We have learned a lot from supermarkets and other food outlets about how you can do social distancing and do it well.

"I think some of those food-to-go businesses will probably be seeking to learn lessons from what supermarkets have done as they consider tentatively reopening."