Triggered by the Covid-19 lockdown and restrictions, Taiwan's unemployment rate has increased to more than a seven-year high of 4.11 per cent, as per reports. The stringent Covid-19 restrictions have directly impacted the job market, the country's statistics authority added. May month's jobless rate was the highest since November 2013, when it hit 4.16 per cent, The Island’s unemployed population rose to 489,000 in May, up 54,000 from April. The service industry suffered the most from the epidemic, with 86,000 jobs shed, the report revealed. Some 792,000 people had working hours of less than 35 hours per week in May, up 603,000 from a month ago. Taiwan raised its alert level in May to control a spike in infections, limiting personal gatherings, closing entertainment venues and stopping restaurants from offering dine-in services. US House Speaker reaffirms US support for Tibet on Dalai Lama's 86th b'day Iran's new Government not to change stance on nuclear deal: Report Lambda Variant of Covid-19, 'Deadlier' Than Delta Strain