THE four-week 'circuit breaker' targeting the hospitality industry and other businesses is estimated to have cost the economy around £400 million.
The figure, released by the Department for the Economy and subject to a significant margin of error, includes direct and indirect losses along with the costs of a potential delay to recovery.
It comes on top of losses of £4-5 billion already estimated to have been caused by Covid-19 and the first lockdown earlier this year.
In relation to jobs, the analysis stated that the last four weeks affected more than 40,000 jobs in hospitality and tourism, around 5,000 in close contact services like hairdressing, and around 7,000 in other sectors including arts venues and theatres.
Around 1,000 jobs may have also been impacted in the information and communications sector.
It is estimated around 5,000 more women than men have been affected, partly because of high female employment levels in close contact service businesses such as hairdressers and beauticians.
Economy minister Diane Dodds said the initial analysis carried out by her officials "provides important evidence of the profound impact the Covid-19 restrictions have had on our economy".
"The four-week circuit breaker had a direct impact on around 60,000 jobs with severe financial consequences in particular for people working in accommodation and food, close contact services, supply chain businesses, and the arts, entertainment and recreation sectors," she said.
"Indicators are that females, younger workers and those on low pay may have been most adversely affected."
