CBIA: Job, Economic Recovery Dependent on Following Face Mask, Social Distancing Rules

Recovering the hundreds of thousands of jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic is dependent on residents following the state’s social distancing and mask wearing guidelines, Connecticut’s largest business organization said today.

CBIA president and CEO Joe Brennan called the June employment report “a positive step,” while adding a cautionary note about the uncertain nature of the state’s economic recovery.

“Based on June’s preliminary numbers, we’ve now recovered 35% of the 291,300 jobs lost in March and April because of COVID-19 business shutdowns and restrictions,” Brennan said today.

“Connecticut is a leader in its response to the coronavirus and one of the major reasons is that most residents are following the state’s guidelines for wearing masks, social distancing, and hygiene practices.

“The job numbers are encouraging. However, we cannot let down our guard—this recovery is fragile and we need everyone in the state following the rules to get people back to work as quickly as possible.”

Overall, Connecticut employment has declined by 183,600 jobs (-10.8%) through the first six months of the year. 

Brennan said the private sector accounted for 91% of the state’s COVID-19 job losses, adding that percentage was “certainly higher” as employment at Connecticut’s two casinos is included in the government sector.

He noted that the first two phases of the state’s reopening resulted in significant employment gains in the leisure and hospitality, trade, transportation, and utilities, and education and health services sectors.

“Those three sectors bore the brunt of the early heavy job losses brought on by the business shutdowns and restrictions,” Brennan said.

“We are also encouraged by solid gains in the manufacturing, construction, and services sectors although the financial activities sector continues to see losses.”

CBIA is Connecticut’s largest business organization, with thousands of member companies, small and large, representing a diverse range of industries from every part of the state. For more information, please contact Joe Budd (860.244.1951).