How does Tennessee rank for coronavirus restrictions?

According to a survey from WalletHub, a personal finance website, Tennessee has the sixth fewest COVID-19 restrictions in the nation.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia were evaluated on nine key metrics with 1 representing the fewest restrictions in a category and 51 representing the most.

Tennessee ranked dead last with a 1 in the requirement of wearing a face mask in public. Tennessee ranked near the bottom with a 3 in the opening of restaurants and bars.

Tennessee also received low scores of 7 for its shelter in place order and the reopening of its “nonessential” businesses.

South Dakota was ranked as the state with the fewest COVID-19 restrictions. Hawaii was determined to be the state with the most.

In the case of South Dakota, it was deemed as having the fewest restrictions in large part because it is one of only seven states that never required statewide school closures, and the only state that never announced a statewide closure of bars and restaurants. South Dakota did impose some restrictions, like a ban on large gatherings, but it was one of the first states to lift that ban.

Likewise, Tennessee is lifting many of the restrictions it imposed. Hair salons are allowed to reopen today, May 6, and Gov. Bill Lee announced Friday that in-person church services are cleared to continue as leaders of each church deem appropriate.

WalletHub says residents can still practice safety measures even if they live in a state like Tennessee with few restrictions.

“In order to stay safe in the states that have the fewest coronavirus restrictions, people can wear masks and gloves in public, even if it’s not required, and they can minimize the amount of time they spend around other people,” said Jill Gonzalez, a WalletHub analyst. “Employees whose jobs allow for working from home could request their employers let them do so for another few months, and those who can’t work remotely should make sure their workplaces are cleaned regularly and have measures in place to reduce crowding.”

WalletHub says it conducted the survey based on information available Monday, May 4.