ORLANDO, Fla. – Staggering new numbers show the impact of coronavirus across Central Florida as every local county experienced an unemployment rate in the double digits during the month of April.
Businesses across the state had been closed since mid-March to stop the spread of COVID-19. Now, two months later, shops and restaurants are beginning to open their doors and even the major theme parks have target dates in mind for when they can begin operating once again.
For weeks now, employees from impacted industries have struggled to file unemployment claims with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity as the department’s website and phone system have been flooded with users desperate for some sort of financial help.