A record setting 3.2-million Americans filed for employment insurance last week

| March 26, 2020 in World News

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The US Labour Department is reporting a record setting number of Americans filed for employment insurance last week.

More than 3 million claims were filed in five business days as strict measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic ground the country to a sudden halt, leading to a wave of layoffs. 

According to the Labour Department, those 3.28 million claims eclipsed the previous record of 695,000 set in 1982.

On Thursday, the Federal Reserve alongside US Congress assembled a record $2 trillion economic stimulus package in hopes of keeping the country's economy afloat during the pandemic.

Non-essential businesses in 18 states have been ordered to close, with residents told to stay indoors and self-quarantine. 

In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced an $82 billion economic package will provide $2,000 a month for four months to all Canadians affected by the crisis.

For more information on Canada's economic stimulus package, click here

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