States with the Fewest Coronavirus Restrictions

All states have at least partially reopened after keeping non-essential businesses closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some states have recently chosen to pause their reopening processes due to spikes in the disease. In order to determine the states with the fewest coronavirus restrictions, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 18 key metrics. Our data set ranges from whether child-care programs and restaurants have reopened to whether the state has required face masks in public and workplace temperature screenings. Read on for the state ranking, additional insight from a panel of experts and a full description of our methodology.

Main Findings

 

States with the Fewest COVID-19 Restrictions

Overall Rank	State	Total Score	Delta in Overall Rank vs. June 23
1	South Dakota	86.95	0
2	Wisconsin	72.83	0
3	Utah	72.80	0
4	Wyoming	68.59	6
5	Oklahoma	67.54	4
6	North Dakota	66.58	-1
7	Arkansas	65.31	12
8	Iowa	64.75	-1
9	Nebraska	63.39	3
10	South Carolina	62.60	-6
11	Missouri	62.32	-5
12	Tennessee	62.26	5
13	Kansas	60.40	-2
14	Idaho	60.37	-6
15	Alabama	60.34	6
16	Georgia	59.94	2
17	Ohio	56.86	7
18	Montana	56.64	-3
19	Louisiana	56.05	8
20	Nevada	55.71	-4
21	Indiana	54.86	-1
22	Mississippi	54.58	0
23	Kentucky	54.15	6
24	Alaska	52.77	-11
25	Florida	47.80	-2
26	Illinois	46.44	15
27	Minnesota	45.25	11
28	Pennsylvania	42.99	12
29	West Virginia	41.72	1
30	Rhode Island	41.58	5
31	District of Columbia	41.53	-5
32	Michigan	41.24	-4
33	New Hampshire	40.57	12
34	Connecticut	37.91	-3
35	Oregon	37.46	1
36	Texas	37.03	-22
37	Vermont	37.01	13
38	Arizona	36.19	-14
39	Virginia	35.59	5
40	Massachusetts	35.25	-1
41	North Carolina	34.97	-9
42	Washington	34.35	-9
43	Delaware	33.93	-9
44	Maryland	32.99	2
45	Maine	31.86	-8
45	New York	31.86	2
47	New Mexico	31.75	4
48	New Jersey	31.41	-5
49	Hawaii	30.85	-1
50	Colorado	30.51	-8
51	California	19.04	-2

Note: Rankings are based on data available as of 12:30 p.m. ET on Monday, July 6, 2020

 

Overtime Changes to State Social Distancing Measures

State	Overall Rank, as of July 7	Overall Rank, as of June 23	Overall Rank, as of June 9	Overall Rank, as of May 19	Overall Rank, as of May 5
Alabama	15	21	17	11	20
Alaska	24	13	7	17	21
Arizona	38	24	13	8	32
Arkansas	7	19	20	14	12
California	51	49	50	32	29
Colorado	50	42	37	31	33
Connecticut	34	31	27	41	42
Delaware	43	34	38	39	41
District of Columbia	31	26	36	49	49
Florida	25	23	12	17	9
Georgia	16	18	39	28	11
Hawaii	49	48	48	46	51
Idaho	14	8	4	3	5
Illinois	26	41	43	51	48
Indiana	21	20	24	16	16
Iowa	8	7	11	10	10
Kansas	13	11	18	21	13
Kentucky	23	29	22	36	24
Louisiana	19	27	19	29	36
Maine	45	37	34	34	26
Maryland	44	46	42	30	40
Massachusetts	40	39	44	48	44
Michigan	32	28	25	41	38
Minnesota	27	38	30	26	21
Mississippi	22	22	28	22	19
Missouri	11	6	6	4	4
Montana	18	15	8	7	7
Nebraska	9	12	16	20	14
Nevada	20	16	26	27	25
New Hampshire	33	45	51	35	31
New Jersey	48	43	49	39	46
New Mexico	47	51	47	44	35
New York	45	47	40	41	45
North Carolina	41	32	21	36	28
North Dakota	6	5	2	9	3
Ohio	17	24	29	38	43
Oklahoma	5	9	34	23	15
Oregon	35	36	32	24	30
Pennsylvania	28	40	41	25	47
Rhode Island	30	35	33	50	50
South Carolina	10	4	14	19	17
South Dakota	1	1	1	1	1
Tennessee	12	17	10	13	6
Texas	36	14	15	12	8
Utah	3	3	4	5	2
Vermont	37	50	46	47	39
Virginia	39	44	45	33	27
Washington	42	33	31	44	37
West Virginia	29	30	23	14	23
Wisconsin	2	2	3	2	34
Wyoming	4	10	9	6	18

Note: As the situation with the coronavirus pandemic has evolved, we have updated the methodology of this report to reflect the actions easing social distancing measures the most at the time of publication.

 

COVID-19 Death Rate vs Restrictions

Note: Rank 1 on the “COVID19 Death Rate Ranking” means fewest deaths and Rank 1 on “Fewest Restrictions Ranking” means the fewest restrictions in place.
 

Ask the Experts

When deciding on how to manage restrictions, including when to lift them, states must consider the health of their citizens first and foremost. For more insight on this topic, WalletHub turned to a panel of experts. Click on the experts below to read their bios and responses to the following key questions:

1. What are the top measures that can be taken in order to safely open the economy and prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections?
2. What would be the consequences of opening the economy too early?
3. What are the best ways to protect the population most at risk while resuming economic activity?
4. What can individuals do to safely begin to get back to normal?

Methodology

In order to identify the states that have the fewest coronavirus restrictions, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 18 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the fewest restrictions.

We then determined the weighted average across all metrics to calculate an overall score for each state and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

• Requirement to Wear a Face Mask in Public: Double Weight (~6.78 Points)
  Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of state action requiring residents to wear a face mask in public.
  • 1 – No state action on public face coverings;
  • 0.5 – State requires the use of face coverings for certain employees;
  • 0.25 – State allows local officials to require the use of public face coverings for the general public;
  • 0 – Face coverings required for the general public.

• Travel Restrictions: Full Weight (~3.39 Points)
  Note: This composite metric measures state Employee Restricted Travel enactment and Domestic Travel Limitations.
  Employee Restricted Travel:
  • 1 – State never had Employee Restricted Travel;
  • 0.5 – State had but lifted Employee Restricted Travel;
  • 0 – State has Employee Restricted Travel.

  Domestic Travel Limitations:

  • 1 – State never had Domestic Travel Limitations;
  • 0.75 – State had imposed but lifted Domestic Travel Limitations;
  • 0.5 – State has recommended Domestic Travel Limitations;
  • 0 – State has imposed Domestic Travel Limitations by executive order.

• Military Travel Restrictions: Full Weight (~3.39 Points)
  Note: This composite metric measures state Military Restricted Travel enactment:
  • 1 – State had but lifted restrictions for Military Travel;
  • 0 – State has not lifted restrictions for Military Travel.

• Large Gatherings Restrictions: Triple Weight (~10.17 Points)
  Note: This composite metric measures the presence or absence of policies that have banned large gatherings in a state.
  • 1 – State never banned large gatherings;
  • 0.8 – State had banned large gatherings but lifted all restrictions;
  • 0.6 – State has expanded gatherings limit to over 25 participants;
  • 0.4 – State has expanded gatherings limit to 25 participants or below 25 participants;
  • 0.2 – State has banned gatherings of 5 or 10 participants or more;
  • 0 – State has banned all gatherings.

• Statewide School Restart: Double Weight (~6.78 Points)
  Note: This metric measures whether a state has ordered/recommended the closure of all public schools.
  • 1 – State recommended closure;
  • 0.5 – State had but lifted order to close;
  • 0 – State has ordered closure.

• Reopening of Restaurants and Bars: Quadruple Weight (~13.56 Points)
  Note: This metric measures whether a state has imposed mandatory closings of restaurants and bars to the public.
  Restaurants Limitations:
  • 1 – State Has Never Closed Restaurants due to COVID-19;
  • 0.75 – State Had Closed but fully re-opened restaurants;
  • 0.5 – State had closed but reopened for limited dine-in service with capacity limits;
  • 0.25 – Limited dine-in service;
  • 0 – Closed except for takeout/delivery or newly closed to dine-in service.

  Bars Limitations:

  • 1 – State has never closed bars due to COVID-19;
  • 0.75 – State had closed but fully re-opened bars;
  • 0 – Closed or newly closed.

• State Guidance on Customer Health Checks at Restaurants: Full Weight (~3.39 Points)
  Note: This metric refers to whether states have issued guidance on customer health checks at restaurants.
  • 1 – No requirement or recommendation for customer health checks at restaurants;
  • 0 – Some form of requirement or recommendation for customer health checks at restaurants.

• Reopening of Non-Essential Businesses: Double Weight (~6.78 Points)
  Note: This metric measures whether a state has imposed mandatory closings of non-essential businesses to the public.
  • 1 – States that have never closed non-essential businesses;
  • 0.8 – All non-essential businesses have fully reopened;
  • 0.6 – Certain non-essential businesses reopened;
  • 0.4 – Certain non-essential businesses opened or have been reopened with reduced capacity;
  • 0.2 – Certain non-essential businesses are closed;
  • 0 – All non-essential businesses are closed.

• Legislation on Business Immunity from COVID-19 Claims: Double Weight (~6.78 Points)
  Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of state action regarding legislation for ensuring businesses immunity against liability for any harm caused by COVID-19.
  • 1 – State enacted legislation granting businesses immunity;
  • 0.5 – State pending legislation granting businesses immunity;
  • 0 – State hasn’t passed laws giving business immunity.

• Workplace Temperature Screening: Full Weight (~3.39 Points)
  Note: This metric measures whether a state has required or recommended workplace temperature screening.
  • 1 – Workplace temperature screening is not required;
  • 0.75 – Workplace temperature screening is recommended for specified employers;
  • 0.5 – Workplace temperature screening is recommended;
  • 0.25 – Workplace temperature screening is required for specified employers;
  • 0 – Workplace temperature screening is required.

• Child Care Programs Reopening: Full Weight (~3.39 Points)
  Note: This metric measures states policies regarding the reopening of Child Care Programs.
  • 1 – Child care programs open;
  • 0.6 – Child care programs reopening according to state guidelines;
  • 0.4 – Child care programs closed with exceptions for essential workers;
  • 0 – Child care programs closed.

• Strictness of “Shelter in Place” Order: Quadruple Weight (~13.56 Points)
  Note: This metric measures whether a state has imposed mandatory quarantine policies.
  • 1 – State never issued “Shelter in Place” order;
  • 0.9 – States that have lifted all stay-at-home mandatory restrictions;
  • 0.7 – Only high-risk groups quarantine;
  • 0.5 – Limited statewide quarantine (religious exemptions and/or beaches or state parks are open);
  • 0 – Statewide mandatory quarantine.

• Enforcement or Penalties for COVID-19 Legislation Non-Compliance: Half Weight (~1.69 Points)
  Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of state action regarding enforcement or penalties sanctioning COVID-19 legislation non-compliance.
  • 0 – State has no penalties or enforcement against COVID-19 legislation non-compliance mentioned;
  • 1 – State has penalties or enforcement against COVID-19 legislation non-compliance.

• Presence of Multistate Agreements to Reopen: Full Weight (~3.39 Points)
  Note: This metric measures the participation in Multistate Agreement or Regional Partnership by state.
  • 1 – State is part of Multistate Agreement or Regional Partnership;
  • 0 – State is not part of Multistate Agreement or Regional Partnership.

• Suspension or Postponement of Legislative Sessions: Half Weight (~1.69 Points)
  Note: This metric measures whether a state has suspended or postponed Legislative Sessions.
  • 1 – State never suspended or postponed Legislative Session;
  • 0.9 – State Legislative Session has been resumed;
  • 0 – State legislature has postponed its Legislative Session.

• State Court Closure or Suspension: Double Weight (~6.78 Points)
  Note: This metric measures whether a state has suspended or postponed state court proceedings:
  • 1 – No change to court schedules on state or local level;
  • 0.5 – Suspended in-person proceedings on the local level;
  • 0 – Suspended in-person proceedings statewide.

• Guidance on Elective Surgery and Medical Procedures: Half Weight (~1.69 Points)
  Note: This metric refers to whether states have issued guidance for hospitals and other medical facilities to reschedule nonessential surgeries to ease the demand for medical supplies during the coronavirus crisis, or previously had such guidance but lifted it.
  • 1 – State never issued guidance on elective surgeries;
  • 0.5 – State had but lifted guidance on elective surgeries;
  • 0 – State has issued guidance on elective surgeries.

• Guidance for Assisted Living Facilities Related to COVID-19: Full Weight (~3.39 Points)
  Note: This composite metric refers to whether states have issued guidance for assisted living facilities related to COVID-19.
  Visitation:
  • 1 – No guidance for visitation of assisted living facilities related to COVID-19;
  • 0.6 – Recommend visitation restriction of assisted living facilities due to COVID-19;
  • 0.3 – Recommend visitation ban of assisted living facilities due to COVID-19;
  • 0 – Prohibit visitation of assisted living facilities due to COVID-19.

  Staff screening:

  • 1 – No guidance on staff screening of assisted living facilities related to COVID-19;
  • 0.5 – Recommend staff screening of assisted living facilities due to COVID-19;
  • 0 – Require staff screening of assisted living facilities due to COVID-19.

  PPE (personal protective equipment):

  • 1 – No guidance on PPE (personal protective equipment) of assisted living facilities personnel related to COVID-19;
  • 0.5 – Recommend PPE (personal protective equipment) of assisted living facilities personnel due to COVID-19;
  • 0 – Require PPE (personal protective equipment) of assisted living facilities personnel due to COVID-19.

 

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the National Governors Association, Kaiser Family Foundation, Child Care Aware of America, Ballotpedia, National Conference of State Legislatures, American College of Radiology, American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Ophthalmology, the COVID Tracking Project, National Restaurant Association, Littler Mendelson, U.S. Department of Defense, Portfolio Media, The National Academy for State Health Policy and news reports.

Video and Audio Files for News Use:

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