Gov. Tim Walz offered new advice for preschools faced with the prospect of closing as a precaution against COVID-19. 2019 file photo of a children in a preschool class at Four Directions school in Minneapolis. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Gov. Tim Walz issued new guidance to Minnesota child care providers, asking them to stay open but urging them to prioritize care for children of health care and emergency workers.

"We would appreciate if you continued to care for kids and their families and would like to support you if you decide to remain open," Walz said in a letter issued late Monday a few hours he ordered bars and restaurants to shut down for dine-in customers.

He noted that, based on a new federal guideline limiting groups in public settings to ten, "We know that many of you may be considering closing, which is understandable."

Walz recommended that centers consider sending home children of parents who aren't medical or emergency workers.

"If a family does not include health care or emergency workers, ask them to keep their children home or use a family, friend or neighbor to provide care in order to make capacity for new families," the letter said.

The governor also asked that child care providers consider expanding their hours to accommodate the longer shifts of emergency workers, and to let the state Department of Human Services know if they are choosing to remain open.

In Duluth, health care staff, first responders and other types of essential workers with school-age children in need of care while they work were asked to fill out an enrollment form by Tuesday.

Day care centers and preschools that stay open will receive priority testing for their staff if they need to be tested for COVID-19, the letter said.

"During this time of emergency, we need leaders to stand up and help our emergency services continue to operate. Remaining open, even at reduced capacity, can help enable emergency and healthcare workers to do their jobs," the letter said.

Most providers in the state remained open on Monday, but reports from child care centers indicated attendance was light. A state emergency hotline has been activated to answer questions about statewide school closures and other matters, including child care. Staff from the departments of Education and Human Services will answer calls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504.

Adam Belz • 612-673-4405 Twitter: @adambelz