RI Ranked Second Most Coronavirus Restrictive State in the U.S.

Methodology

In order to identify the states that have the fewest coronavirus restrictions, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 9 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 (~10.26 Points)
Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of state action requiring residents to wear a face mask in public.

1 – State requires residents to wear face mask in public;
0 – State recommend residents wear face mask in public.

Travel Restrictions: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
Note: This composite metric measures state Employee Restricted Travel/Restricted State Travel enactment and Domestic Travel Limitations.
Employee Restricted Travel:

1 – State has Employee Restricted Travel/Restricted State Travel;
0.5 – State had but lifted Employee Restricted Travel/Restricted State Travel;
0 – State never had Employee Restricted Travel/Restricted State Travel.

Domestic Travel Limitations:

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

Large Gatherings Restrictions: Triple Weight (~15.38 Points)
Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of policies that have banned large gatherings in a state.

1 – State has banned all gatherings;
0.8 – State has banned gatherings of 5 participants or more;
0.6 – State has banned gatherings of 10 participants or more;
0.4 – State had banned gatherings, but has eased restrictions by banning gatherings of 20-25 participants or more;
0.2 – State had banned large gatherings but lifted all restrictions;
0 – State never banned large gatherings.

Statewide School Restart: Double Weight (~10.26 Points)
Note: This metric measures whether a state has ordered/recommended the closure of all public schools.

1 – State has ordered closure;
0.5 – State had but lifted order to close;
0 – State recommended closure.

Reopening of Restaurants and Bars: Quadruple Weight (~20.51 Points)
Note: This metric measures whether a state has imposed mandatory closings of restaurants and bars to the public.

1 – Closed except for takeout/delivery;
0.75 – Limited dine-in service;
0.5 – State had closed but reopened for limited dine-in service;
0.25 – State had closed but fully re-opened restaurants and bars;
0 – State has never closed restaurants and bars due to COVID-19.

Reopening of Non-Essential Businesses: Double Weight (~10.26 Points)
Note: This metric measures whether a state has imposed mandatory closings of non-essential businesses to the public.

1 – All non-essential businesses are closed;
0.8 – Certain non-essential businesses are closed;
0.6 – Certain non-essential businesses opened or have been reopened with reduced capacity;
0.4 – Certain non-essential businesses reopened;
0.2 – All non-essential businesses have fully reopened;
0 – States that have never closed non-essential businesses.

Strictness of “Shelter in Place” Order: Quadruple Weight (~20.51 Points)
Note: This metric measures whether a state has imposed mandatory quarantine policies.

1 – Statewide mandatory quarantine;
0.5 – Limited statewide quarantine (religious exemptions and/or beaches or state parks are open);
0.3 – Only high-risk groups quarantine;
0.1 – State had restrictions but has lifted all stay-at-home mandatory restrictions;
0 – State never issued “Shelter in Place” order.

Suspension or Postponement of Legislative Sessions: Half Weight (~2.56 Points)
Note: This metric measures whether a state has suspended or postponed Legislative Sessions.

1 – State legislature has postponed its Legislative Session;
0.1 – State Legislative Session has been resumed;
0 – State never suspended or postponed Legislative Session.

Guidance on Elective Surgery and Medical Procedures: Full Weight (~5.13 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 has issued guidance on elective surgeries;
0.5 – State had but lifted guidance on elective surgeries;
0 – State never issued guidance on elective surgeries.

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the National Governors Association, Kaiser Family Foundation, Editorial Projects in Education, National Conference of State Legislatures, American College of Radiology, the COVID Tracking Project and news reports.