MARSHALL — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Sunday ordered the temporary shutdown of public schools to allow administrators and teachers to make plans to combat COVID-19 as new cases continue to grow.

The announcement sent area school districts scrambling on Sunday afternoon, as they prepare to close down by Wednesday — or even earlier, in the case of Minneota Public Schools Tracy Schools, and Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Schools.

“Because we had a large group of Minneota students, staff and residents attend the girls’ basketball game on Thursday at the Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis, we have decided to take the extra measure and close schools immediately,” said a post on the Minneota Schools’ Facebook page. “As a school, we will be providing more details and information regarding this unprecedented event at a later time.”

RTR announced that it will be closed Monday for a staff day, although there will be school on Tuesday. All after-school activities and programs will be canceled until further notice.

Tracy Area public and parochial schools are closing starting today, said the Headlight Herald Facebook page. No practices or after-school activities will be held until further notice. Also, there will be no virtual learning during the two-week period the schools are closed.