Local business owners are taking precautions as the number of COVID-19 cases rise in the area

Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic local businesses have went through closures and phased re-openings. Now as cases spike some local business are closing their doors again.

There is just a lot of unknown there, so we just decided to, let’s just take some days off and regroup, reevaluate what we are going to do and see what everybody else does too", says part owner and manager of Old Town Spaghetti Store, Thomas Baudo.

A number of local businesses announced on social media they were closing their doors again this week in response to the rise in cases.

Baudo says this year he has made a lot of tough decisions.

“It’s a really hard decision to do that to somebody and you know, cut off their pay. Because most people in this business it’s a week to week deal. They rely on those paychecks", he adds.

Baudo says they did have two employees test positive for COVID-19 and they deep cleaned the restaurant after they were notified of both cases.

But they wanted to give other employees time to rest and also make sure they are healthy.

Baudo added, “So, we just wanted to make sure we got everything cleaned and make sure everyone was feeling well. Because we do have employees that, you know they have bills. They are normal people.”

Director of the Jackson Madison County Regional Health Department, Kim Tedford, says she plans to sit down and restaurant owners this week about more guidance. Imani Williams, for 39 News, in Jackson.