The number of Montanans filing new claims for unemployment help continues to decline, according to the latest numbers released Thursday by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. However, unemployment still remains well above normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 11,000 people have filed initial unemployment claims so far this month. That’s down from late March, when more than 20,000 Montanans a week were filling new claims.
Since mid-March, when Montana entered a state of emergency in response to COVID-19, around 100,000 people have sought new unemployment payments.
Montana enters Phase 2 of Gov. Steve Bullock’s economic reopening plan Monday, increasing the number of customers that can be inside some businesses at any given time. Starting June 1, out-of-state travelers will no longer be required to quarantine when arriving in Montana.
