Coronavirus Cleaning Questioned At Darien, Milford Rest Stops

DARIEN, CT — An undisclosed number of employees at the McDonald's in the Darien and Milford rest stops on I-95 northbound have tested positive for the new coronavirus (COVID-19), according the union that represents them.

The 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union says that at least one worker from each location has been hospitalized with the virus, but the group claims that the stores have not been adequately cleaned after the diagnoses.

Workers planned to hold a caravan protest at the rest stops to draw attention to the conditions.

"I am worried because I'm working at the service plaza after a fellow worker went home sick and is now in the hospital with COVID-19," said Azucena Santiago, a worker at the Milford northbound store, in a statement provided by the union. "They told the sick worker's coworkers to self-quarantine, and they brought in new workers from another store to replace them. But I worry that the disease is spreading because the store didn't close or disinfect anything. We all have families that need to eat and need to stay healthy. McDonald's doesn't pay us any sick days when we are sent home. We're caught in a terrible position. And customers keep coming to the store every day from everywhere."

Added Juan Hernandez, vice president of 32BJ SEIU and head of the union in Connecticut, "The treatment of these workers is outrageous, and the public health threat it causes demands immediate action. Giant corporations like McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts, Subway and others need to protect their workers and support them if closures or hour reductions are necessary. We also ask Governor Lamont's administration to please let Project Services know that it needs to immediately stop the abuse or face the loss of its contract with the state."

The owner/operators of the Milford and Darien McDonald's, Roger Facey and George Michell, told Patch that both locations have been thoroughly cleaned, and state public health officials were notified. (Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.)

"The health and safety of our employees and customers is our number one priority," they said in a joint statement. "Since the coronavirus pandemic began impacting the US in February, and in accordance with the guidance of the CDC, we've continuously evolved our safety programs and processes in order to help customers and restaurant employees feel safe.

"Upon learning of the confirmed cases in each service plaza restaurant, both locations immediately conducted a thorough sanitization procedure, as well as notified public health authorities. Additionally, restaurant management identified and reached out to all restaurant staff who may have been in close contact with the employee who had contracted the virus.

"We will continue to evaluate all safety measures currently in place, and adjust accordingly as we remain focused on the health and safety of restaurant employees and our customers."