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May 7, 2020

Maine's pandemic rules rank as least restrictive in Northeast

By Staff

While some Maine residents and businesses are saying restrictions imposed on their activity because of the pandemic are too severe, a new study says: not so much.

Maine’s rules are the least restrictive in the Northeast, according to the national analysis released Tuesday by financial website WalletHub. Across the U.S., the state ranks in the middle of the pack — No. 26 — for the leniency of its pandemic precautions.

WalletHub based the analysis on nine criteria, including any mandated closings of restaurants and bars, operating restrictions on nonessential businesses, requirements to wear face masks, and other public health rules. Using a variety of sources, analysts evaluated each state and the District of Columbia numerically according to the degree to which it implemented the measures. The data was then compiled, weighted and scored on a 100-point scale.

Maine’s score, 35.39, was less than half that of the most lenient state, South Dakota, which received a score of 89.23, and just behind Nevada’s, 37.56. But Maine scored significantly higher than any other state in the northeastern U.S. The next-highest in the region was New Hampshire’s score of 32.44, ranking No. 31.

Vermont ranked No. 39. States from Maryland to Massachusetts filled spots in the 40s, and Rhode Island ranked No. 50. Hawaii was deemed the most restrictive state, at No. 51.

For more information and the complete results, click here.

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1 Comments

Anonymous
May 7, 2020

Of course the restrictions should be less. The state has been less impacted by the virus. This does not mean that the restrictions are correct.

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