COVID-19
Which States Are Bouncing Back?

After April’s record-low job seeker numbers, the early May numbers are showing there is reason to be cautiously optimistic.

The re-emergence of the labor market

The labor market may have hit bottom in April and is on its way up–but very slowly.
Most states are making slight gains, more so in the states that reopened earliest.
Re-emergence spurs uptick of job seeker activity.

WEEK OF

+7.6% increase in job
seeker activity in May

Talroo Insights: Activity measured by high-intent job seeker clicks.

By the numbers

38 Million

people have filed for jobless aid since Covid-19 hit

3 Trillion

in aid has been spent on individuals and businesses through the CARES Act

CARES Act

50 States

at least partially reopened

* Sources: Labor Department, US Treasury Department, New York Times.

In April, all 50 states had reduced job seeker activity from the month prior. In May, 33 states had increased job seeker activity from the month prior. The re-opening of many states has started to turn the tide of job seeker activity.

Brief timeline

	April 24th Georgia is the first state to nearly completely reopen. Restaurants, salons, tattoo parlors and other “high-touch” business are open – with guidelines.
	May 1st Texas becomes the next high-profile state to reopen, with capacity restrictions on restaurants. Salons and gyms will still need to wait a few more weeks.
	May 4th California, the earliest adopter of a lock-down, starts to allow construction and other outdoor business to resume.
	May 4th Florida allows restaurants and retail stores to reopen at limited capacity, as well as beaches and outdoor recreation areas.
	May 20th Illinois, under increasing pressure to reopen, announces restaurants and state parks will start to open.
	May 21st All 50 states have now at least partially reopened.