To identify which states have the fewest coronavirus restrictions, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 18 key metrics. Our data set ranges from whether the state has any penalties for non-compliance with COVID-19 legislation to whether the state has required face masks in public and health checks at restaurants. Below, you can see highlights from the report, along with a WalletHub Q&A.
| States with the Fewest Restrictions | States with the Most Restrictions |
| 1. South Dakota | 42. Washington |
| 2. Wisconsin | 43. Delaware |
| 3. Utah | 44. Maryland |
| 4. Wyoming | T-45. Maine |
| 5. Oklahoma | T-45. New York |
| 6. North Dakota | 47. New Mexico |
| 7. Arkansas | 48. New Jersey |
| 8. Iowa | 49. Hawaii |
| 9. Nebraska | 50. Colorado |
| 10. South Carolina | 51. California |
Note: Rankings are based on data available as of 12:30 p.m. ET on Monday, July 6, 2020.
Biggest Changes in Rank from the Previous Report
- Illinois moved from 41 to 26, up 15 positions. This is due in part to the fact that the state has eased restrictions on large gatherings and has reopened restaurants for limited dine-in services.
- Vermont moved from 50 to 37, up 13 positions. This is due in part to the fact that the state has lifted military travel restrictions and has not mentioned any penalties or enforcement for non-compliance with COVID-19 legislation.
- Texas moved from 14 to 36, down 22 positions. This is due in part to the fact that the state requires residents to wear a face mask in public and has reinstated a large gatherings ban to groups no larger than ten people.
To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-coronavirus-restrictions/73818/
Q&A with WalletHub
Should states that see spikes in COVID-19 deaths just pause their reopening or reinstitute lockdowns?
“States with spikes in COVID-19 deaths should pause their reopening as well as make sure extra preventative measures are in place, like mandatory mask wearing and temperature checks at workplaces and busy transit hubs. Some states, such as Texas and Arizona, have already paused their reopening yet don’t require masks in public,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “It may be necessary to reinstitute lockdowns in some places at a micro level, in small communities that are experiencing especially high death and hospitalization rates.”
How have the recent protests across the U.S. affected states’ reopening plans?
“The recent protests throughout the U.S. could both help and hurt states’ reopening efforts. On the positive side, the protests may prove to people that it’s safer to be outside than they thought, leading to more economic activity sooner. On the negative side, the protests could lead to spikes in COVID-19 cases that might force reopening delays due to public health concerns,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “Even if reopening proceeds without delay in a given area, some business owners will face setbacks unrelated to the coronavirus. The rioting that accompanied protests in some cities caused damage to businesses just as they were starting to reopen. Hopefully, damaged businesses can get back on track through insurance or government assistance.”
What should states be most mindful of when reopening?
“States should be most mindful of limiting close contact between residents even as businesses reopen, which means that state legislatures should transition from guidelines on social distancing to laws, such as requiring mask wearing in public places and limiting the number of people per square footage. States can show extra care to vulnerable populations by making sure they are accommodated with free deliveries of essential goods and exclusive hours at all businesses,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “Most importantly, state governments need to closely monitor the number of coronavirus cases, prepare for a second wave, and adjust further reopening plans if needed to avoid too much of a strain on hospitals.”
Why does South Dakota rank as the state with the fewest coronavirus restrictions?
“South Dakota ranks as the state with the fewest coronavirus restrictions because in part it does not require or recommend customer health checks at restaurants. The state has not mentioned any penalties or enforcement for non-compliance with COVID-19 legislation,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “South Dakota has lifted all restrictions on large gatherings, and is the only state that didn’t require restaurants to close during the pandemic.”
New York has experienced the most coronavirus cases overall in the U.S. but has had a big decline in new cases. How has that impacted the state’s restrictions?
“New York ranks as No. 6 for the most coronavirus restrictions in the U.S.,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “New York currently limits gatherings to 25 people or fewer and is one of only six states that still have some form of quarantine active. Restaurants in New York are open for limited dine-in service with restricted capacity, while 18 states don’t have any such restrictions.”
KDAZ-am&fm-KCHF-TV News for Tuesday July 7, 2020
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State Police issues 1 citation so far for mask noncompliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2020
New Mexico travel restrictions in effect
SANTA FE – The state of New Mexico is under a mandatory health advisory issued by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
Anyone crossing a border into the state must adhere to the New Mexico public health travel restrictions as outlined in Executive Order 2020-054, seen here, until further notice.
Be aware: Businesses and law enforcement agencies are strictly enforcing the following restrictions for in and out of state travelers.
Below you will find some frequently asked questions and answers.
Are the borders closed in New Mexico?
No. The surrounding borders are not closed. State roads remain open.
Will travelers with out of state plates be stopped by law enforcement or turned away at the borders?
No. Unless law enforcement has reason to believe you are breaking the law or not adhering to the health advisory, you will not be stopped or forced to leave the state.
Does everyone in New Mexico have to wear a mask?
Yes. Mask-wearing is mandatory in public for all individuals over the age of two, except when eating, drinking or exercising.
Is there a punishment if I choose not to wear a mask?
Yes. If caught without a mask in public, you are subject to a $100 fine.
What if I live in New Mexico and I want to travel out of state? Do I have to self-quarantine when I return?
The mandatory health advisory is very clear. If you cross over the borders of New Mexico, you must self-quarantine for 14 days when you return home.
Are there any exceptions to the quarantine order?
Yes. Persons who are employed or contracted by an essential business traveling into the state to conduct business activities, persons employed by airlines, those performing public safety or public health functions, military personnel, federal employees, those employed by a federal agency or national defense contractor, emergency first responders, health care workers, those arriving in the state pursuant to a court order do not have to quarantine for 14 days or for the duration of their time in the state, whichever is shorter, though all should follow COVID-safe best practices: Wear a face-covering in public and keep physical distance from others and limit travel outside of the home or place of lodging to only the essentials.
What if I take my family camping in a different state and we spend our time outdoors, away from other people, adhering to social distancing? Do we all have to self-quarantine when we return?
Yes. Even if you spend time outdoors, wearing masks and social distancing in another state, you must self-quarantine when you return to New Mexico for 14 days.
Do out of state visitors have to self-quarantine even if they own a home in New Mexico?
Yes. If visitors or part-time residents plan to stay in New Mexico longer than two weeks for any reason, you must self-quarantine for the first 14 days when coming in from another state.
If you are staying in New Mexico for fewer than two weeks, you also must self-quarantine for the duration of your stay or up to 14 days, whichever is shorter. (For example, if you plan to stay at a hotel for two nights before leaving the state, you must self-quarantine for the duration of your stay.)
Does that apply to people in RV’s as well?
Yes. Travelers must self-quarantine wherever they are staying.
What if travelers are simply passing through New Mexico to get to another destination in a different state?
This is not a time to shop for souvenirs, visit state parks or sightsee. Please recognize that if you are traveling amid a global pandemic you are bringing the risk of a highly contagious and lethal virus with you and taking it with you as you go. You must wear a face-covering if you are in public while in the state. Please limit your activities to only the essentials.
What if I’m a trucker and have to make deliveries in New Mexico?
Most trucking services fall under the logistical transporting functions incorporated in the essential businesses of the state’s operative emergency public health order and are exempt from the quarantine requirement. But all visitors in the state are still required to wear face-coverings and follow COVID-safe best practices.
The NMDOT sincerely appreciates your cooperation.