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BLS COVID-19 Questions and Answers

COVID-19 Publications

The Economics Daily

The Economics Daily article image

Time spent alone increased by an hour per day in 2020

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, people were encouraged to stay at home and practice social distancing. During their waking hours, people age 15 and older spent an average of about 1 hour more per day alone in 2020 (7.0 hours) than they did 2019 (6.1 hours). read more »

Spotlight on Statistics

Spotlight on Statistics article image

Impact of the coronavirus pandemic on establishments and employment by industry

The coronavirus pandemic impacted all sectors of the economy in 2020. Businesses across the country saw their supply chains interrupted, demand for their products and services decline, and government-mandated closures. This Spotlight on Statistics explores the pandemic’s impact across the economy with emphasis placed on varying experiences by industry and employment in those industries. The Business Response Survey to the Coronavirus Pandemic was conducted from July to September 2020 read more »

Monthly Labor Review

Monthly Labor Review article image

Teleworking and lost work during the pandemic: new evidence from the CPS

A third of U.S. workers reported teleworking during the coronavirus, and workers in occupations suitable for telework had lower rates of lost work. read more »

Career Outlook

Career Outlook article image

Effects of the pandemic on projected employment in selected industries, 2019–29

How will the pandemic affect employment over the decade? This chart shows differences projected in some industries. read more »

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

Price and Spending Statistics

Productivity and Costs Statistics

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

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 23, 2021