The Neighborhood Dining Group (NDG), which owns Husk Savannah and several major restaurants in Charleston, S.C., and throughout the Southeast, announces the "immediate temporary closure of all our restaurants, effective March 17, 2020. Our communities deserve the most cautious measures in these uncertain times, and we feel it is impossible to operate our businesses knowing our staff and guests are at risk, even with precautionary measures such as limiting guests and tables and extensive sanitation.and our restaurant ownership group than the safety and health of our guests, our staff, and the communities in which we serve," NDG said in a statement this morning.

"These unforeseen circumstances will cause temporary layoffs for our staff. Despite the significant financial challenges, we are making several commitments to our amazing team of nearly 500 employees," NDG says.

"All staff and management will receive compensation through March 29. Additionally, NDG will continue health insurance benefits through April 30. After that, we expect staff to be able to take advantage of unemployment insurance and any federal assistance offered. We will re-evaluate this evolving situation at the end of April."

The Neighborhood Dining Group includes Husk (Charleston, Nashville, Savannah, & Greenville), McCrady's (Charleston), Minero (Charleston & Atlanta) and Delaney Oyster House (Charleston).