San Diego unemployment rises to 8% after state put in new COVID-19 restrictions [The San Diego Union-Tribune]
San Diego County’s jobless rate rose to 8 percent in December as many businesses were closed again to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The jobless rate hit 6.6 percent in November the lowest level since the pandemic began right before the county was placed in the state’s most restrictive virus closure protocol, called the purple tier.
That action moved restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters to outdoor-only and retail capacity was reduced. State health officials said the restrictions were necessary as Southern California became one of the nation’s hotspots for the virus.