January 21 (SeeNews) - There were 156,432 jobless people registered with labour offices in North Macedonia at the end of December, up from 101,748 a year earlier, official data showed, revealing the impact of coronavirus restrictions on employment.
On a monthly comparison basis, the number of unemployed people edged up 1% in December, according to data published by the government's employment agency.
North Macedonia registered its first coronavirus case in late February. 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 in March.
The government started easing restrictions recently as daily case rates began to fall. Under the latest set of measures, closing time for bars and restaurants was extended to 9 pm from 6 pm. However, face masks are still compulsory in all outdoor spaces.
As of Wednesday, the country has confirmed a total of 89,463 infections, including 2,739 deaths, health ministry data shows.
North Macedonia's economy minister Kreshnik Bekteshi said earlier in January that the government is working on a fifth package of measures worth 50 million euro ($60.6 million) that will be aimed at supporting businesses hit by the coronavirus outbreak. The previous four support packages for people and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic were worth a total of 1 billion euro.
The country's economy shrank by an estimated 3.3% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2020, after declining by an annual 12.7% in the previous quarter, the country's statistical office said in December.
($ = 0.8252 euro)