Bojangles’ join other chains in closing dining rooms during coronavirus spread

Bojangles’ announced Tuesday all dining rooms at all restaurants will begin offering to-go only in an effort to control the spread of coronavirus.

“Most stores will continue to operate on a normal schedule with some flexibility for individual operators and franchisees who deem it necessary to adjust hours to support team members in taking care of one another and customers effectively,” according to a company press release.

Gov. Roy Cooper Tuesday morning ordered all North Carolina restaurants and bars closed, except for takeout and delivery orders, effective at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Some Bojangles’ locations temporarily closed dining rooms Monday. A franchise with several locations in east North Carolina posted on Facebook: “This will help increase social distancing by limiting direct person-to-person contact in our dining rooms,” the post stated.

Bojangles’ has approximately 750 restaurants in 11 states, according to the company website.

Late Monday, McDonald’s announced company-owned restaurants will close dining areas and shift to drive-thru, walk-in take-out, according to the company website.

Chick-fil-A announced it, too, is going to drive-thru and take-out orders only at its 2,500 restaurants in 47 states.

Other fast-food chains are offering alternative dining options, too. Kentucky Fried Chicken is offering free delivery through April 26.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus,s has been declared a global pandemic by The World Health Organization. More than 175,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide leading to more than 6,700 deaths as of March 16, McClatchy reported.

There have been more than 4,000 confirmed cases in the U.S. and about 69 deaths on Monday.

This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 4:30 PM.