File Photo Susan Ogurek, director of the Job Service North Dakota Office in Minot, spoke during a briefing on COVID-19 in May 2020.

The coronavirus pandemic had a serious impact on livelihoods in the Minot area in 2020.

In the spring Gov. Doug Burgum had issued executive orders that closed or placed restrictions on certain high-contact businesses such as restaurants, bars, coffee shops, gymnasiums, hair stylists and movie theaters to slow the spread of the virus.

As a result, the unemployment rate in Minot soared to a record 10.7 percent in April and May when it had been at 2.9 percent for the month of February. By October, with many of the restrictions lifted, more people were employed and unemployment rate in Minot was at 4.9 percent, still higher than it was a year before in October 2019 when unemployment had been at 1.6 percent.

An aid package from the federal government enabled many employers to continue paying their employees during the pandemic and, for a time, provided extra unemployment assistance for those who were laid off due to the pandemic. Federal direct payment stimulus checks to individuals also helped some stay afloat.

But local charities and food banks reported that more people were lining up for assistance than in previous years, some of them in need of help for the first time. In turn, charities pleaded for donations to help meet the increased need.

With virus numbers and deaths in the state soaring in November, the governor again issued an executive order placing limitations on certain businesses, such as limits on capacity.

Every aspect of the economy has been impacted, with hotels and motels struggling to keep their doors open with few guests staying. Most major events in the area were also called off this year due to the coronavirus. Among them were events that usually draw large numbers of people to Minot, including the North Dakota State Fair in July and the Norsk Hostfest in the fall.

Some of the state’s restrictions on business were lifted in late December, and the federal government announced that more assistance, including checks for individuals, is on the way.