Schools and Child Care

Schools and Child Care: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

On March 25, 2020, Governor Walz authorized the Commissioner of Education to implement a Distance Learning Period beginning on March 30, 2020, until May 4, 2020 (Executive Order 20-19).

More information is available:

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.

See the following guidance for additional information and resources:

Institutes of Higher Education (IHE)
Interpretive guidance for IHE recommendations.

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).

Recommended Supplies for Schools: COVID-19
Cleaning supplies for students and staff, including the health services and custodial teams.

COVID-19 Exclusion Guidance: Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals in Schools & Childcare Programs (PDF)

COVID-19 Screening Guidance for Emergency Child Care Centers (PDF)

MDH Guidance for Social Distancing in Schools (PDF)
Updated 4/2/20

Supporting Mental Well-being during COVID-19 (PDF)

CDC: Guidance for School Settings

Key Messages

If public health officials identify a staff member or student at your school or child care as a confirmed case of COVID-19, we will reach out to you to provide information and guidance on notifications and other infection prevention actions. Please contact us if you have questions so we can help determine the appropriate steps to take.
Children can still go to child care while schools are temporarily closed. Schools are temporarily closed to do planning so they can implement things like distance learning. Child cares do not need to do that type of planning. Child care settings are also smaller than schools.
It is important to avoid prejudice to Minnesotans of Asian descent or assuming that someone of Asian descent is more likely to have COVID-19.
We know there may be specific situations that arise where you have questions. We encourage schools and child care centers to call us to discuss the situation before making recommendations so that we can work together to determine the best course of action. For assistance with specific questions, school administrators can contact us at 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414.