Another 25,000 North Carolinians filed for unemployment Monday as business closures spread
Job losses continue to skyrocket across North Carolina as more business closures set in.
As of Tuesday morning there have been 140,000 new unemployment claims since March 16 — up by 25,000 from just a day ago.
The large jump on Monday coincided with an order from Gov. Roy Cooper that expanded the list of businesses forced to close, as authorities try to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, Cooper ordered bars and restaurants to close except for takeout and delivery. He also banned gatherings of more than 100 people, which in turn forced other businesses in the hospitality and entertainment industries to close temporarily.
On Monday, Cooper’s new order lowered the gathering threshold to 50 people. He also ordered numerous businesses where close contact is unavoidable — including barbershops, nail salons, massage parlors, movie theaters and gyms — to shut down. The closures aren’t mandatory until Wednesday at 5 p.m. but Cooper urged affected businesses to close down earlier if possible, The News & Observer reported.
People who need to apply for unemployment benefits can do so at www.des.nc.gov. Cooper recently made it easier for people to qualify for benefits, acknowledging that his orders would put people out of work.
The deluge of new claims in the last week has led to numerous reports of website glitches and long hold times on the customer service hotline. The rapid rise in unemployment has caused the state unemployment office to begin hiring new workers to make the process go more smoothly.
At his Monday press conference announcing the new business closures being ordered, Cooper said he has been talking with state legislative leaders and expects that they will soon have an aid package that he’s hoping will complement whatever aid Congress passes, too.
“A lot of families are taking it on the chin and hurting right now,” Cooper said.
The legislature is set to come back next month, although some newly formed committees are expected to start meeting any day now to begin addressing coronavirus and its affects on issues like schools, hospitals and the economy.
