A leading indicator of unemployment in Lancaster County dropped significantly closer to its pre-pandemic norm last week, new data shows.
The number of new claims for unemployment benefits filed by countians fell 21.8% to 417 claims, its lowest mark since late November, the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board reported Thursday.
âThe trend in initial claims suggests conditions are normalizing,â said economist Naomi Young, director of the Economic Development Company of Lancaster Countyâs Center for Regional Analysis.
âThe data shows the demographic composition of those filing and the overall levels of (new) claims beginning to look more âpre-pandemic.â This is a good sign, but a full recovery is a ways off,â she said.
The number of new claims for unemployment benefits filed by Lancaster Countians rose slightly last week but remained well below its recent peak in early January, new data shows.
Although Wolfâs temporary three-week shutdown of certain businesses ended at the beginning of last week, on Jan. 4, those businesses were battered by the loss of revenue and rattled by the prospect of the shutdown returning, said local economist Naomi Young.
Businesses of all stripes also were wary of the high number of COVID-19 cases, she indicated.
Wolfâs order, implemented to stem the rapid spread of COVID-19, shut down cinemas, gyms, live-event venues and restaurant dining rooms.
About 60 of last weekâs new claimants came from the restaurant industry, according to data provided by the board. But January is the slowest time of year for the restaurant business, so itâs possible that the seasonal slump played a role in the layoffs too.
Brandon Martin describes the past 10 months for himself, his employer and his industry in a single word â bleak.
Martin, director of operations for American Music Theatre, has seen the formerly thriving business battered by crushing punches from COVID-19, the same as many similar venues have suffered.
With the theater temporarily closed to help fight the spread of the virus, nearly all of AMTâs 40 full-time employees have been laid off, except a handful in the box office who are working part time to answer inquiries from customers.
Not only is no revenue coming in, $1.2 million in ticket refunds have gone out so far. Meanwhile, the costs associated with its 1,600-seat facility on Lincoln Highway East â insurance, real estate taxes, maintenance â continue unabated.
New local claims for unemployment benefits stayed elevated in late December due to Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown of restaurants, movie theaters and gyms to contain the pandemic, new data shows.