New Unemployment Claims Post Steep Growth In Utah

Nearly 20,000 people applied for unemployment in Utah last week, an explosive increase that’s in line with national data released Thursday amid widespread business closures related to the new coronavirus. The food preparation and services industry took the biggest hit, with a 37% increase in unemployment claims. Gov. Gary Herbert has ordered restaurants across the state closed to dine-in customers to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Authorities say many of those newly jobless workers do remain connected with their employers and expect to go back to work after the businesses re-open. Meanwhile, the Utah Department of Corrections has announced plans to grant early release to at least 80 inmates as a result of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.