Unemployment claims filed since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic have hit 930,611 in Massachusetts, according to U.S Department of Labor data released Thursday.
A reported 27,174 new claims were made statewide in the week ending May 30, which is 11,158 less than those who filed the week prior. The claims came during the week following the May 18 beginning of the phased-in reopening of the economy, which started with offices, manufacturers and construction sites and expanded to hair salons.
The second phase of the economic reopening, which includes restaurant dining rooms and hotels, is slated to begin within about a week. Public health officials and Baker are scheduled on Saturday to announce when Phase 2 of reopening Massachusetts will occur.
Claims in Massachusetts remain highest in health and social assistance (3,279 claims in the week ending May 30), food and accommodation (2,768) and retail (2,752).
Claims have fallen sharply in construction, as job sites that were temporarily closed have largely returned. They’ve remained higher in areas including education, manufacturing, and professional and technical services.
Nationwide, close to 1.9 million cases were filed last week, which is 249,000 less than the week prior. In total, the country has close to 43 million citizens who have filed for unemployment claims since the coronavirus pandemic began.Â
