Coronavirus Coverage - Business and Economy | New Hampshire Public Radio

Coronavirus Coverage - Business and Economy

38.6 Million Have Filed For Unemployment Since March

By • May 21, 2020

The United States is still losing jobs at an alarming pace two months after the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

Another 2.4 million people filed claims for unemployment last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That's down 249,000 — or 9% — from the previous week, but still painfully high by historical standards.

In the past nine weeks, jobless claims have totaled 38.6 million. That's roughly one out of every four people who were working in February, before the pandemic hit.

Reopening Taskforce Recommends Steps For N.H. Camps, Sports, Museums

By Kelly Burch • May 19, 2020
Courtesy of Camp Yavneh

The Governor's Economic Re-Opening Taskforce unanimously approved reopening guidance plans Tuesday afternoon for amateur sports, overnight summer camps, day camps, acupuncture, museums and restaurants serving wedding events.

The guidelines will now be sent to the Division of Public Health Services for approval. Then, they must be approved by Gov. Chris Sununu before they are implemented.  

Unemployment Skyrockets in N.H., With 150,000 Fewer People Working

By • May 19, 2020
Dan Tuohy | NHPR

New Hampshire's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ballooned to 16.3 percent in April, the highest level since local reporting on unemployment began in 1976, and a clear indicator of the coronavirus’s staggering impact on the state economy.

State: Reopening N.H. Businesses Should Flush Stagnant Water From Their Taps

By • May 19, 2020
wikimedia commons

State water regulators say New Hampshire businesses may need to flush their pipes as they reopen for the first time since March.

The Department of Environmental Services says water may have stagnated in pipes that got little or no use in recent weeks.  This can lead to unsafe levels of lead and copper or conditions where bacteria like Legionella can grow.

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Details Remain On How Sununu's Small Business Relief Plan Will Work

By Bob Sanders - N.H. Business Review • May 19, 2020
Dan Tuohy | NHPR

If your business wants any of New Hampshire’s new $400 million Main Street Relief Fund, you have to fill out a pre-application in the next two weeks.

The state Department of Revenue Administration, the agency administering the program, wants to know how much applicants made last year and expect to make this year.

Outdoor Dining Resumes In New Hampshire

By & • May 18, 2020
Sea / Sean Hurley/NHPR

After two months of being limited to curbside pickup and delivery only, restaurants and cafes across New Hampshire are again serving customers outdoors.

Monday marked the next phase in the gradual reopening of the state’s food service industry, which has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic and resulting restrictions.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Will 3D Print Coronavirus Test Swabs

By • May 18, 2020
Jim Cleveland / US Navy

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard will help the Army manufacture thousands of COVID-19 diagnostic test swabs.

The facility in Kittery, Maine will 3D print up to 10,000 swabs a day using surgical grade resin.

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The long, bristled swabs are inserted into a person’s nose to get a sample that can determine if they have COVID-19. There have been widespread shortages of these swabs during the pandemic. 

In Reopening, N.H. Businesses Balance Personal Economics With Public Health

By • May 16, 2020
Dan Tuohy / NHPR

This past week, some New Hampshire business owners were faced with a big decision: How do I balance the survival of my business with public health concerns?

NHPR’s Lauren Chooljian talked with several business owners this week to see how they made that choice.

J.C. Penney Files For Bankruptcy As Lockdowns Take Their Toll

By • May 16, 2020

In its 118-year history, J.C. Penney has gone from a Wyoming-based dry-goods store to being a key pillar of the American mall.

Planet Fitness Sued Over Billing Practices During Pandemic

By • May 15, 2020
Jon Greenberg, NHPR

Planet Fitness is facing a potential class action lawsuit filed by a member who alleges the New Hampshire-based gym chain charged membership fees despite the facilities closing their doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pandemic Hits Spending Hard; 79% Dive In Clothing Sales Leads A Record Plunge

By • May 15, 2020

Updated at 9:31 a.m. ET

In a historic collapse, retail spending in the United States nosedived again last month, dropping a record 16.4% as people avoided restaurants, bars, stores and malls during the coronavirus pandemic.

In The Midst Of A Pandemic, A New Market Basket Opens In Plymouth

By • May 14, 2020
Sean Hurley

The 31st Market Basket in the state is set to open tomorrow in Plymouth. NHPR’s Sean Hurley visited the grocery store today to find out just how grand – or not - the grand opening might be.

Marie Alderink and her husband Elroy peer through the just washed windows of the new grocery store. The Hebron couple thought today was opening day.

As Some Scofflaw N.H. Businesses Violate COVID-19 Orders, Enforcement Remains Limited

By • May 14, 2020
Pete Nakos/NHPR

On May 4, members of Anytime Fitness, a West Lebanon gym, received an unexpected email.

“We are so excited to share with you that our doors are now OPEN,” it read. 

Weekly N.H. News Roundup: May 15, 2020

By The Exchange • May 14, 2020

As some sectors of the economy begin to reopen, we’ll speak with Taylor Caswell, Commissioner of the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs. We'll talk about what types of regulations and safety measures are in place for businesses that are reopening, and what the next steps may look like. We’ll also continue to hear from reporters in neighboring states about what reopening looks like there - this week, we talk with a reporter from Massachusetts.

Air date: Friday, May 15, 2020 

 

Restaurants In Manchester Can Use Private Parking Lots, Adjacent Sidewalks For Outdoor Dining

By • May 13, 2020
Chris Spielmann/Wikimedia Commons

Manchester is easing the process for restaurants to set up outdoor seating, including using sidewalk space in front of adjacent properties.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, restaurants in the state will be allowed to serve customers outdoors beginning May 18, though tables will need to be spaced at least six feet apart.

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Fed Chief Says More Relief Spending May Be 'Costly, But Worth It'

By • May 13, 2020

Additional government spending may be necessary to avoid long-lasting fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Wednesday.

Powell said the economy should recover once the virus is under control. But he cautioned that without more help, many small businesses may not survive that long. And he warned that a wave of business and household bankruptcies could do lasting damage to the nation's economic output.

Want Your Stimulus Check Direct Deposited? Sign Up By Noon Wednesday

By • May 12, 2020

If you're still waiting for your pandemic payment from the federal government, and you would like to receive it directly into your bank account, head over to the IRS website by noon on Wednesday.

If the IRS doesn't have your direct deposit information by that deadline, you'll still get your payment — but you'll receive it in the form of a paper check, which might not arrive until June.

N.H. Dentists Open For Elective Procedures Despite CDC Recommendations To Remain Closed

By Alex McOwen • May 11, 2020
David Mulder via Flickr Creative Commons

New Hampshire dental practices began reopening Monday, seeing patients for non-urgent, elective procedures. 

The state released guidelines on Friday that allow dentist’s offices to reopen so long as they have adequate personal protective equipment to protect staff and safely treat patients. 

Malls Reopen In New Hampshire, Including Along Mass. Border

By • May 11, 2020
Josh Rogers | NHPR

Gov. Chris Sununu says he’d prefer out-of-staters to stay home as New Hampshire begins to reopen parts of its economy.

But retail locations, including malls, opened in New Hampshire Monday, including along the Massachusetts border.

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As N.H. Businesses, Salons And Golf Reopen, Some Say It's Too Soon

By • May 11, 2020
Todd Bookman/NHPR

New Hampshire’s economy took another step towards reopening on Monday, as retail businesses and hair salons welcomed customers back inside their stores.

Questions As N.H.'s Childcare Centers Consider Reopening

By The Exchange • May 11, 2020
Wikimedia

While some childcare centers in New Hampshire have stayed open during the pandemic, others have shuttered and are now considering reopening. We discuss what factors centers are weighing as they make this difficult decision and talk about what the reopening process will look like.

Air date: Tuesday, May 12, 2020. 

Salem Considers Imposing $200 Face Mask Fine

By • May 10, 2020
Face masks
Centers for Disease Control

Officials in Salem are considering imposing a fine on anyone not wearing a mask or face covering in indoor public locations in town.

It's Business As Not-Quite-Usual Monday, As N.H. Loosens Some Limits On Economy

By & • May 10, 2020
Dan Tuohy / NHPR

New Hampshire retail stores, hair salons, and barbershops will be permitted to allow customers back inside on Monday for the first time since Gov. Chris Sununu instituted limits to curtail the spread of coronavirus nearly two months ago.

Women Bear The Brunt Of Coronavirus Job Losses

By • May 9, 2020

Very briefly, at the end of 2019 and the start of 2020, there were slightly more women on American nonfarm payrolls than men.

That's no longer true. The historically disastrous April jobs report shows that the brunt of job losses fell on women.

Sununu Says Dentists Can Practice, With Precautions, But Not All Are Eager To Reopen

By • May 8, 2020
Governor's Office

Gov. Chris Sununu put out new guidance Friday that could pave the way for dentists to resume procedures they put off due to COVID-19 as early as next week.

N.H. Farmers Markets Are Starting to Open, But With Strict New Practices

By Alex McOwen • May 8, 2020
Cori Princell / NHPR

Almost all of the state's farmers markets intend to open this year, with new precautions to address COVID-19.

The Concord Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday. Wayne Hall, the market’s president and owner of Rockey Ole Farm in Concord, says that in addition to opening the market a week later than normal, he’s been working on new policies to keep both patrons and vendors safe.

N.H. Restaurants May Offer Outdoor Dining May 18, But Not All Can Or Will Take Part

By & • May 8, 2020
Sean Hurley/NHPR

Like a lot of restaurants, Mad River Tavern in Campton shut down in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Most employees were laid off, and whatever ingredients could be saved landed in the freezer. 

With the doors closed, tavern owner TJ O’Neil rolled up his sleeves.

With the help of a skeleton crew, he refurbished the bar, painted walls, and did trim work. 

As Summer Nears, Seacoast Grapples With Extended COVID-19 Beach Closures

By • May 7, 2020
Annie Ropeik / NHPR

When New Hampshire reopens parts of its economy in the next couple of weeks, the public beaches on the Seacoast will stay closed. It's sparked debate in seaside towns like Rye over what restrictions are warranted.


Weekly N.H. News Roundup: May 8, 2020

By The Exchange • May 7, 2020

With longterm care facilities accounting for over 3 out of 4 COVID-19 deaths in the state, we discuss how the state is responding. Hospitals are beginning to allow elective surgeries and other procedures. And we go to the Seacoast and the state of Maine to see what “re-opening” efforts look like there.

Neiman Marcus Bankruptcy Is 1st By A Department Store During Coronavirus Crisis

By • May 7, 2020

Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus has become the first department store chain to declare bankruptcy during the coronavirus pandemic. Its fall is foreboding to other chains, whose financial distress predates the health crisis, such as J.C. Penney.

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