Schools and Child Care: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
On April 23, 2020, Governor Walz authorized the Commissioner of Education to extend the Distance Learning Period through the end of the 2019-2020 school calendar year. (Executive Order 20-41).
More information is available:On this page:
Youth Activities
Safety and Well-being
Institutes of Higher Education (IHE)
Cleaning and Disinfecting
CDC Guidance
Other Resources and Print Materials
The situation surrounding the outbreak is rapidly evolving and the information or recommendations are changing as new information becomes available. Please follow MDH and CDC recommendations and avoid creating situations that may stigmatize staff or students.
Youth Activities
- Guidance for Social Distancing in Youth and Student Programs (PDF)
Guidance for youth programs, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and day camps. MDH continues to evaluate the feasibility of overnight camp operations, and will offer supplemental guidance when programming is able to resume.
Updated 5/13/20
- Guidance for Social Distancing in Youth Sports (PDF)
- Reopening of Public Swimming Pool and Aquatic Facilities (PDF)
- Playground Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs (PDF)
Safety and Well-being
- Decision Tree for People with COVID-19 Symptoms in Youth, Student, and Child Care Programs (PDF)
MDH exclusion guidance for youth, student, and child care programs.
Updated 6/2/20
- Masking Recommendations for Child Care and Schools
Recommendations for those caring for children of essential workers (child care providers, family child care providers, and school-age care) and for Institutes of Higher Education (IHE).
- Food Service Worker Safety Information (PDF)
Guidance for school food programs.
Updated 5/4/20
- Supporting Mental Well-being during COVID-19
Institutes of Higher Education (IHE)
- Institutes of Higher Education (IHE)
Interpretive guidance for IHE recommendations.
- COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance for Institutes of Higher Education
Cleaning and Disinfecting
- COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs
- Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 for Facilities Service and Cleaning Staff
- Recommended Supplies for Schools: COVID-19
Cleaning supplies for students and staff, including the health services and custodial teams.
CDC Guidance
Other Resources and Print Materials
- Hand Hygiene
Video, posters, teaching materials, and more related to handwashing. - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Print Resources
CDC handouts and posters. - Stay Home If You're Sick (PDF)
CDC poster. - Infectious Diseases in Childcare Settings and Schools Manual
Hennepin County infectious disease manual.
COVID-19 Hotlines:
Interpreters available
Health questions:
651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903
Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekend: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Schools and child care questions:
651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekend: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COVID-19 information in other languages:
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus
(Hmong) - Koronafayraska Cusub ee 2019
(Somali) -
Enfermedad del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
(Spanish) - American Sign Language (ASL) Videos
Contact us:
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
