A Chick-fil-A location in McDonough is closing effective immediately after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, according to the restaurant's owner.
Mike Fleming, who operates the Lake Dow Chick-fil-A on Ga. 81, announced the voluntary closure in a Facebook post Monday.
“We are working with local health authorities, as well as disinfecting and deep cleaning the restaurant in accordance with public health guidelines,” Fleming said. He said the restaurant will reopen after it is cleared by local health authorities.
Other Chick-fil-A locations remain open for carryout service, franchise officials said.
"While we can't have the pleasure of serving you in our dining rooms, our restaurants remain open," the franchise said. "We're here to ease your mind with mobile ordering, mobile payment and delivery options that keep your health and well-being — as well as the health and well-being of operators and team members — as our priority."
Meanwhile, other eateries have closed entirely due to the novel coronavirus.
Waffle House announced Tuesday that it would close more than 400 restaurants to mitigate the spread of the virus. It is the most locations the restaurant known for remaining open in the face of disaster has closed at one time.
MORE: Waffle House closes 365 locations −the most to ever shutter in its history
Dining group Ford Fry’s Rocket Farm Restaurants closed four of its metro Atlanta restaurants through April 13 as the number of coronavirus cases grows in the state. Those restaurants include King and Duke , St. Cecilia, the Optimist and the steakhouse Marcel.
RELATED: Ford Fry's Restaurants shutter all operations until April
Junior’s Pizza in Summerhill closed its doors after customers repeatedly refused to comply with precautionary measures the restaurant’s owners put into place to prevent exposure to the disease.
MORE: Junior's Pizza closes after customers disregard COVID-19 safety protocols
The threat of the virus has forced thousands of people out of work and threatened many restaurants with the potential of permanent closure, AJC.com previously reported. About 300,000 people work for restaurants in metro Atlanta, with an average hourly pay rate of $9.37 when including fast-food outlets, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
RELATED: Metro Atlanta restaurants offering delivery, curbside pickup, others temporarily closed
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