COVID-19 Response Information

The following guidance documents were created to help schools as they look at ways to re-open in the future. Metro ECSU, IEA, Inc. and ATC Group Services, LLC collaborated in the development, review and publication of these documents. Many documents were sent to industry leaders for comment and review. Feel free to use these and we welcome any feedback.

Operations Guidance

• Cleaning and Sanitizing Protocols
• High Touch Surface Audit
• Transportation
• Social Distancing - guidance under development
• Personal Hygiene - guidance under development
• Screening - guidance under development
• MN State Fire Marshal Occupant Load Determination - Assembly
• MN State Fire Marshal Partitions for COVID-19 Separations
• MN State Fire Marshal School Occupant Loads for COVID-19 Restrictions

Worker Protection Guidance

• Personal Protective Equipment and guidance under development
• Drivers Education - Behind the Wheel
• Masking - guidance under development
• Playgrounds - guidance under development

Primary COVID-19 Resources

• MN Department of Education Planning Guidance for MN Public Schools
• Minnesota Department of Health 2020-2021 Planning Guide for Schools
• Stay Safe MN
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• United States Environmental Protection (EPA)
• EPA: List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
• MN Empoyment and Economic Development (MN DEED)

Collaborating Partners

• ATC Group Services
• Cooperative Purchasing Connection
• Dalco Online
• IEA Safety
• Hillyard

Other Related Resources

Transportation

• FMCSA CDL Waiver FMCSA grants, until June 30, 2020, a waiver from certain regulations applicable to interstate and intrastate commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders and to other interstate drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).
• FMCSA Notice on Expiring CDL This Notice of Enforcement Policy, effective from March 24, 2020 to June 30, 2020, provides needed relief from specified FMCSRs for CLP holders, CDL holders, and non-CDL drivers and motor carriers using those drivers. This Notice of Enforcement applied to all CLP holders, CDL holders, and non-CDL drivers whose license was valid on February 29, 2020 and expired on or after March 1, 2020.
• NASDPTS: Coronavirus and Student Transportation
  The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) has developed an Information Report to answer questions relating to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on student transportation professionals and operations. NASDPTS will update the report as new information is received.
• School Bus Use for Delivering Meals/Supplies
  Per MN Governor’s Executive Order 20-41 Upon approval by the Executive Council and notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 169.443, subdivision 2, school buses may deploy arm and flashing red signal systems when delivering meals and distance learning materials to students.
  
  If an individual feels that delivery cannot be completed safely without the use of the school bus system, then alternative measures must be sought. Some examples the Minnesota State Patrol suggests are using a smaller vehicle that can get safely off the road, or delivering to a distribution location such as a parking lot and arranging to have families meet there.

Licensures and Certifications

• MDH Refresher Training Waivers
  Due to the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is issuing a refresher training waiver. Individuals with asbestos certifications and lead licenses that expire on or after March 16, 2020, will be granted an extension to complete the required MDH approved refresher course to become recertified or relicensed in Minnesota.
  
  Please see the below websites for additional details:
  • MDH Asbestos Web Page
  • MDH Asbestos Professionals Web Page
  • MDH Lead Web Page (See Spotlight section)
  • MDH Information for Lead Contractors Web Page
• COVID-19 Minnesota hotlines 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  Schools, child care, businesses: Call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504.
  Health questions: Call 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903.
• MN Department of Labor and Industry
  DLI license exams have been suspended indefinitely. Continuing education deadlines have been extended 90 days for licenses that expire in March, April and May 2020.

Employee Rights

• Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Poster
• Recording workplace exposures to COVID-19
  OSHA recordkeeping requirements at 29 CFR Part 1904 mandate covered employers record certain work-related injuries and illnesses on their OSHA 300 log.
  COVID-19 can be a recordable illness if a worker is infected as a result of performing their work-related duties. However, employers are only responsible for recording cases of COVID-19 if all of the following are met:
  1. The case is a confirmed case of COVID-19 (see CDC information on persons under investigation and presumptive positive and laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19);
  2. The case is work-related, as defined by 29 CFR 1904.5; and
  3. The case involves one or more of the general recording criteria set forth in 29 CFR 1904.7 (e.g. medical treatment beyond first-aid, days away from work).

Visit OSHA’s Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements page for more information.

School Specific Resources

School and Child Care: Coronavirus Disease 2019

Note: Some of the resources listed on this page link to "external websites" which may not be accessible for viewers, screen readers and other assistive technology devices. If you need assistance, please email the "Contact Information" person listed at the bottom of this page.

Contact Information

Bianca Virnig, Facilities and Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
612/638-1512, bianca.virnig@metroecsu.org

Angela Skrade, Program Coordinator
612/638-1528, angela.skrade@metroecsu.org