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BLS COVID-19 Questions and Answers

COVID-19 Publications

The Economics Daily

Respiratory illnesses up 96 percent in retail trade in 2021

Respiratory illnesses in the retail trade sector rose 96.0 percent from 2020 (21,500 cases) to 2021 (42,100 cases). That drove a 75.6-percent increase in all illnesses (29,500 to 51,850). read more »

Monthly Labor Review

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers with a criminal history

This article compares the labor market outcomes of workers with and without a criminal history record during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. read more »

Career Outlook

Employment gains spurred by pandemic recovery, projected 2021–31

Despite job losses in 2020, employment is expected to rebound and surpass its previous level by 2031. read more »

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the United States profoundly. In addition to the heavy toll on health and life, the pandemic also brought significant economic challenges, such as a drastic shift in workplace culture and the highest unemployment rate since data began in 1948. This Spotlight on Statistics explores how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the spending behaviors of urban and rural consumers. read more »

Beyond the Numbers

What is the unemployed people per job openings ratio? A 21-year case study into unemployment trends

This Beyond the Numbers article will describe the unemployed people per job openings ratio and examine unemployment and job openings trends by looking at estimates at the national level from December 2000 to December 2021, and at the state and regional level from December 2017 to December 2021. National data allows users to see the relationship more clearly between labor supply and demand nationwide, while state and regional data allows for comparative analysis across state labor markets. read more »

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in coordination with agencies across the federal government, continues to monitor the impacts of COVID-19. BLS is committed to producing and distributing gold-standard data while also keeping the public, our employees, and our partners at the U.S. Census Bureau and state agencies safe.

This page will be updated regularly.

Are there changes in operations at BLS in response to COVID-19?

The Office of Management and Budget has issued guidance encouraging maximum telework flexibilities for federal employees, so most BLS employees are working remotely, while maintaining the highest level of service.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Existing communications channels (phone, email, internet) continue to operate as normal during this period.

Will data releases be delayed?

BLS intends to release all data on our normal schedule as announced on the BLS release calendar.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on BLS programs

Employment and Unemployment Statistics

The Employment Situation news release (Last updated September 1, 2022)
Current Employment Statistics Survey
Current Population Survey (Last updated September 1, 2022)
Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (Last updated September 29, 2021)
County Employment and Wages (Last updated February 23, 2022)
Business Employment Dynamics (Last updated October 30, 2020)
Local Area Unemployment Statistics
American Time Use Survey (Last updated July 22, 2021)
Employment Projections (Last updated September 8, 2021)
Business Response Survey to the Coronavirus Pandemic (Last updated November 2, 2020)
Occupational Employment and Wages (Last updated March 31, 2021)

Price and Spending Statistics

Consumer Price Index (Last updated March 9, 2022)
U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes (Last updated February 16, 2022)
Producer Price Index (Last updated February 15, 2022)
Consumer Expenditure Surveys (Last updated April 13, 2022)

Productivity and Costs Statistics

Quarterly Productivity and Costs (Last updated August 14, 2020)
Productivity and Costs for Industries and States (Last updated April 29, 2021)
Multifactor Productivity Trends (Last updated November 18, 2021)

Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, Compensation, Occupational Requirements, and Work Stoppages Statistics

Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (Last updated November 10, 2021)
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (Last updated December 16, 2021)
Employment Cost Index (Last updated January 28, 2022)
Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (Last updated March 18, 2022)
Employee Benefits in the United States (Last updated September 23, 2021)
Occupational Requirements Survey (Last updated November 18, 2021)
Work Stoppages (Last updated February 19, 2021)

How could COVID-19 affect BLS data collection?

BLS collects data through a variety of methods for its surveys. Much of the data, particularly from businesses, are collected online and through telephone interviews. Some data, however, are collected in person. For data that are typically collected in person, we are limiting in-person collection and focusing on phone, email, and internet.

Will BLS predict any impacts from COVID-19?

BLS does not make predictions about labor market data that we produce and distribute.

Will visitors be allowed in the Postal Square Building?

Although BLS has been open for business throughout the pandemic, our headquarters in Washington, DC, is not open to the public. Our staff continues to be on maximum telework.

BLS has suspended access to restricted microdata until support staff are available to help external researchers in the Postal Square Building. BLS will allow extensions of data access agreements that expire during the time support staff are unavailable.

Other COVID-19 Resources

Last Modified Date: September 1, 2022