MACON, Ga. — Nationwide, businesses are feeling the affects of coronavirus.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported on Thursday that 281,000 people nationwide filed new unemployment claims last week. This is a one-third increase from the week before.
Now, some Central Georgia businesses are closing down.
Downtown Macon was eerily quiet on Thursday.
Most restaurants have moved to curbside delivery only. Meanwhile, some businesses and restaurants have closed down due to COVID-19 concerns.
This includes the Moonhanger group, which owns the Rookery, Dovetail, Natalia's, and others.
"It was a tough decision, but it was the right thing to do," Wes Griffith, Moonhanger group president said.
On Wednesday, the group decided to suspend all business indefinitely.
"We spent the early part of the week trying to transition to to-go and curbside. Yesterday, it became apparent that was still creating a lot of contact," Griffith said.
He says people were coming in from out-of-town.
"The mood started turning," Griffith said.
Griffith said it became apparent the company could not financially continue based on to-go orders.
Overall, the group employs around 300 people, most of which are hourly or part-time.
Now, Griffith says the group is working to apply for a federal disaster relief loan through the Small Business Association.
"It's my hope that if I get that money in quickly, I'm able to set up a fund and provide assistance in checks, the ones the government is talking about, to my employees," Griffith said.
Griffith says the group is giving whatever food they have on the shelves to their employees.
Larger businesses are also feeling the effects of COVID-19, like the Macon Marriott City Center.
Nick Pancoast, general manager of the hotel, says majority of their employees were asked to stay home since there is not enough business to keep people working.
Griffith says it was better to "batten down the hatches."
"With all the unknowns, it just felt safer to follow the guidelines of the CDC," he said.
That is to enact social distancing to keep his employees and the public safe.
Griffith says he is optimistic that Moonhanger can make it through this. He says his number one priority is his employees.
RELATED: 'It's very serious': Navicent Health doctor says they've been preparing to treat COVID-19 for weeks
STAY ALERT | Download our FREE app now to receive breaking news and weather alerts. You can find the app on the Apple Store and Google Play.
STAY UPDATED | Click here to subscribe to our Midday Minute newsletter and receive the latest headlines and information in your inbox every day.
Have a news tip? Email news@13wmaz.com, or visit our Facebook page