NORTH CAROLINA -- Stay-at-home mandates and social distancing due to the coronavirus are shifting American routines, workflows, and now dating.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, in-person dating at restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and coffee shops have temporarily paused. Brandon Mayer is one of 1,159 members a part of a Facebook group called "Singles In The Carolinas." The Facebook page was created by matchmaker Laurie Berzack to help singles connect through the pandemic.

"It's such a wonderful platform for people to communicate with each other. Here are singles of all ages from all over both Carolinas and they're talking about online dating, they're talking about their struggling with dating, they're talking about dating with kids, they're talking about what attracts you to one another and flirting," Berzack says.

Berzack's 14 years of matchmaking experience is paying off in a way she never imagined. Singles like Mayer and Tonia Percy both usually like to meet and date people in person, but are now seeing the benefits of dating virtually.

"I think that a lot of people are very into just looks and just meeting someone in person, so I think this is a good opportunity to get to know somebody on a deeper level," Mayer says.

"You really have the time to dig a little bit deeper and have conversations with people," Percy says.

Laurie has even come up with a virtual bachelor show for the Facebook page featuring members in the group. Mayer is the current bachelor and has his eye on a special girl. The next episode airs on the page Wednesday. Laurie told us she just wants to give people a new alternative during this unprecedented time.

The Facebook page can be found here.