SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Labors officials say local governments have shed thousands of jobs in New Mexico amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Department of Workforce Solutions on Friday announced that the overall statewide unemployment rate has fallen to 7.5% in November, down from 8.1% in October.

Payroll employment is down by 58,300 jobs since November 2019, excluding agriculture. Most employment losses are in the hospitality and petroleum sectors, but local government also reduced employment by 6,500 jobs, mostly in public education.

New Mexico is delivering relief payments on $1,200 to at least 120,000 unemployed people and offering $100 million in small business grants tied to federal relief money received by the state.

An emergency health order continues to require face masks, ban gatherings of more than five people, forbid indoor dining at restaurants and restrict capacity at most businesses to 25% or less.

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