Updates in this email:
The Minnesota Department of Health has updated the Frequently Asked Questions About Wearing Face Coverings document. Note that the mask requirements apply during the instructional day and while riding on school transportation. The requirements do not apply during after school activities, such as sports or other extracurriculars.
What are the requirements for schools?
Face coverings are generally required for all students, staff, and other people present in any public or private kindergarten through grade 12 school buildings or district offices during the instructional day, or when riding on school transportation vehicles to and from the instructional day. To provide a consistent, safe environment for students and staff, this requirement applies equally to kindergarteners, even those aged 5 or under. MDH and MDE also strongly recommend that all staff wear a face shield over their face coverings.
For more information, including information about exemptions, situations where face shields can be worn as an alternative to a face covering, and situations where it is allowable to temporarily remove a face covering, please refer to Executive Orders from Governor Walz and 2020-2021 Planning Guide for Schools (PDF). Children under 2 years or anyone with a medical, developmental, or behavioral condition that makes it unreasonable to wear a face covering must not wear face coverings.
CDC Guidance Update
Over the weekend, the CDC released guidance for schools following last week's announcement that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks. The CDC continues to recommend that school staff and students wear masks in school buildings and on school buses for the remainder of the school year.
This information may be helpful to share with your school communities to address questions from students, staff or families regarding the continued requirement to wear masks in schools through the end of the school year.
The CDC cites the following reasons for continuing to wear masks in schools:
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Students will not be fully vaccinated by the end of the 2020-21 school year. Youth under the age of 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination. Youth between the ages of 12 and 15 became eligible for vaccination on May 12, 2021. Because people are not fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, students in this age group will not be fully vaccinated before the end of current school year.
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The time needed for schools to make systems and policy adjustments. Systems and policy adjustments may be required for schools to change mask requirements for students and staff while continuing to ensure the safety of unvaccinated populations.
CDC will update its guidance for schools in the coming weeks. Updated guidance can inform school planning for the 2021-2022 academic year.
All Minnesotans who are age 12 years or older are eligible to get vaccinated. The CDC also recommended that everyone age 12 and older get vaccinated.
At this time, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been studied and authorized for use by people age 12-17. Other vaccine manufacturers are also studying their vaccines in younger age groups but have not yet received authorization.
There are a number of ways that parents can get their child vaccinated. Some locations require appointments, but many places are now accepting walk-ins.
To find a vaccine:
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Minnesotans age 12-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Information about appointments will arrive via text or email from the state’s vaccination partners running those sites: Vault Health, Primary Bio or SpeciaLysts (Solv).
Minnesotans can call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at 1-833-431-2053 for language assistance, questions and to find an appointment near them.
There is no cost for the vaccine. Minnesotans do not need to provide a Government issued ID or medical insurance to be vaccinated, and no question on immigration status is ever asked.
‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, Minnesota Families’ week goes through Saturday, May 22. During this time, 12-15-year-olds and their families are being prioritized for shots at the state’s community vaccination site at Mall of America. Families are encouraged to walk-in or schedule an appointment next week at Mall of America: Mall of America Community Vaccination Site. Minnesotan’s ages 12-15 can also get vaccinated in Oakdale, Lino Lakes and at Roy Wilkins Auditorium: Vaccine Connector. Minnesotans age 12-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at these sites.
How you can spread the word:
Employee wellness is a key component of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model and is one of the nine recommendations in CDC’s School Health Guidelines. To support employee wellness, see the resource, Tips for Promoting School Employee Wellness.
No Call on Wednesday, May 26
Remember there will be no School Nurse/COVID-19 Program Coordinator Call on Wednesday, May 26. Please note that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will hold calls less frequently during the summer. These calls are opportunities to hear MDH updates and receive the latest information, including any new guidance. Please review the summer call schedule below.
Calls will be held on the dates below from 10:30-11:30 a.m. You can livestream these meetings using the following the YouTube Live Stream Access Links:
(Each link is only active on the actual day of the School Nurse Update Call. Recordings are not available for later viewing.)
To view the PowerPoint slides and notes from the School Nurse Calls, please register with the COVID-19 Resources for Minnesota Schools and Out-of-School Time Staff, Canvas Learning Management System, under the Health and Safety module
If you have any questions about these MDH weekly school nurse calls, please email health.schools.covid19@state.mn.us.
Questions on COVID-19? Here are the MDH and MDE mailboxes to use:
MDE Inboxes:
MDH Inboxes:
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