Dear Family Child Care and Center-Based Child Care Providers:

We are providing important updates and information for your work. Thank you for all you do as you care for our littlest Minnesotans.

Regularly Review the Public Health Guidance

Child care settings are still required to comply with face coverings guidance:

Under Executive Order 21-23,  licensed and certified child care settings and other Head Start, preschool and pre-kindergarten programs are still required to comply with face covering and face shield guidance until 70% of the 16+ population is vaccinated or July 1 (whichever arrives sooner). This guidance is available at https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools/masks.html.

Updates to the guidance:

• What are the requirements for parents and other visitors?
  • Those who do not work at or attend the child care facility are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings when inside the child care facility given that children under the age of 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination and are at continued risk for getting sick from and potentially transmitting COVID-19.
• Signs indicating that there is a statewide mask mandate are no longer required. If a child care setting is requiring face coverings for those who do not work at or attend the facility, they should communicate that where individuals are entering.
• Which masking requirement do I follow if my city already has a requirement?
  • The Executive Order establishes the minimum face covering requirements for all Minnesotans. If a local government authority (such as a city or county) establishes requirements that are more protective (in that they require face coverings in more situations), those requirements must be followed.

Providers with questions should contact their licensor or email childrenscabinet.mmb@state.mn.us.

Cohort group sizes:

Licensed child care centers and licensed family child care providers may expand their group sizes from the recommended cohorts of 10 to the group size dictated by their license and/or Minnesota Statutes or Minnesota Rules.

Find links to public health guidance and other important information on the state’s COVID-19 website for child care providers: https://mn.gov/mmb/childcare/providers/.

COVID-19 Vaccines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people age 12-15. This means 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. 

Getting a Vaccine

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: 

• Walk-in or schedule an appointment through the State’s Community Vaccination Programs at the Mall of America, Roy Wilkins, Lino Lakes or Oakdale. You can also get connected to a vaccine through Minnesota’s Vaccine Connector. 

• Minnesotans age 12-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  
• 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).  

• Contact your child’s primary health care provider, local public health or a local pharmacy. 
• Use the Vaccine Locator Map to find vaccine locations near you.  
• Use Vaccines.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you. Under vaccine make sure to check the box for Pfizer. 

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. 

Hosting an onsite vaccination event for your students and community 

If you or others in your community are interested in hosting an on-site vaccination clinic, please fill out the following interest survey: Community Vaccination Event Request Form.

‘Roll up your sleeves, Minnesota Families!’ 

‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, Minnesota Families’ week will begin Tuesday, May 18 and will extend through Saturday, May 22. During this week, 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. 

Monthly Provider Call

The next provider call is on Monday, June 7, at 7 p.m. A recording of the May call is now available.

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing is an important part of the mitigation strategy. If your center is not participating in the optional onsite screening testing program, continue to use the following testing options to meet your testing needs:

• Community Testing Sites: All COVID-19 testing is free at a Minnesota Department of Health testing site. You won’t need to show identification and insurance is not required. While walk-ins are welcome, appointments are strongly recommended to limit wait times. Visit mn.gov/covid19.
• At-home COVID-19 saliva testing: Minnesota offers free, at-home COVID-19 saliva testing, and these kits can be ordered individually at any time.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please send to childrenscabinet.mmb@state.mn.us or call us at 651-259-3636.

Thank you,

Jenny Moses, Governor’s Children’s Cabinet

On behalf of participating agency leaders and staff