March 17 (SeeNews) - There were 159,608 jobless people registered with labour offices in North Macedonia at the end of February, up from 105,816 a year earlier, official data showed, showing the effects of coronavirus restrictions on the labour market.
On a monthly comparison basis, the number of unemployed people edged up 0.6% in February, according to data published by the government's employment agency.
North Macedonia registered its first coronavirus case in late February 2020. Since then, the government has implemented a number of measures to limit the spread of the virus, including temporary closure of shops, restaurants, bars and other public venues.
The government recently decided to temporary reintroduce a nationwide night curfew after the daily number of confirmed coronavirus infections continued to rise. The curfew is in force from 10 pm to 5 am in the period between March 10 and March 22.
On Tuesday, there were 999 new coronavirus cases in the country, bringing the total count to 113,929 since the outbreak of the disease in the country. So far, 3,364 people have died from the disease.
The country's economy shrank by an estimated 4.5% year-on-year in real terms in 2020, the country's statistical office said earlier this month, citing preliminary data.
In February, the government adopted a new, fifth package of measures worth 9.7 billion denars ($187.6 million/157.7 million euro) aimed at boosting economic growth and improving market liquidity by supporting businesses and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous four coronavirus-relief packages were worth a total of 1 billion euro.
(1 euro = 61.49 denars)