Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 J U N E 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 F O C U S H O S P I TA L I T Y / T O U R I S M Pilot testing program e biggest initiatives come through the Downeast COVID-19 Task Force, a group of community stakeholders con- vened by Healthy Acadia and the hospi- tal in April and now including Jackson Laboratory, the park, town and chamber of commerce leaders, and state legislators. e group's plans include a pilot asymptomatic testing program for front-facing employees, and a facemask distribution program. Both utilize the hospital's ability to procure supplies and expand capabili- ties into communities across MDI, and Jackson Laboratory's ability to collect and process samples, says Elsie Flemings, Healthy Acadia's executive director. Pending funding, biweekly asymp- tomatic tests will be provided to 200 workers — 10% to 15% of front-facing seasonal staff. A funding goal of approxi- mately $210,000 would cover 12 weeks of testing or 1,200 tests overall. e group is looking into a mix of private and public funding. e hospital and JAX are together donating the first 100 tests. e group is working out a process to allow front-facing workers to access the asymptomatic testing program. JAX has an asymptomatic testing program under- way for its own employees, the lab's exec- utive vice president and COO, Catherine Longley, said during a Bar Harbor Town Council Zoom meeting. As an asymptomatic testing pro- gram for the broader community, the task force believes it's a first for Maine. e goals are to support physical heath but also demonstrate to potential visi- tors that MDI is utilizing best practices, notes Flemings. Reasonable path "e goals seems to be attainable," Graham says of the plan. "It seems to be a way to manage the health of the whole workforce, which affects our entire com- munity which, in turn, affects the safety and health of our visitors." In June, Anderson sent a letter to the Mills administration to share the plan as an alternative to the state's alterna- tives for most out-of-state visitors of a 14-day quarantine or a negative test. e task force plan, Anderson wrote, "would remove the burden of visitors getting tested and offer a clear way to monitor the health of our community." He added, "With the state's expanded testing capacity, this plan should be scalable statewide and would be a reasonable path to reopening our state's tourism businesses." Out-of-state residents typically account for 90% of Bar Harbor's visi- tation business, he says. "Almost every business in Bar Harbor relies on the visitors that stay in our local lodging establishments," he said. "If lodgings cannot open, many of our businesses will fail. ere is not enough in-state visitation business to support our local businesses." e task force is also distribut- ing "ASTM-1" medical-grade masks to MDI employers for their public- facing employees. e masks provide a certain level of protection against aerosols, but don't take away from the supply of higher-level masks needed by medical providers. MDI Hospital procured 30,000 ASTM-1s and expects to order as many as 20,000 more throughout the season. Distribution began June12 through MDI town offices and cham- bers of commerce. "It sends a really strong message that our priority is to be safe and that we're taking a proactive stance to prevent spread," Flemings says of the task force initiatives. "e goal is to support our economy in a healthy, safe way." Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz Visit Patrons.com to find an independent Maine agent near you. Business Property and Liability Insurance Products Cyber and Data Breach Liability Insurance Employment Prac ces Liability Insurance, EPLI & Equipment and Mechanical Breakdown I N S U R I N G M A I N E B U S I N E S S — I N S U R I N G M A I N E P E O P L E Innova ve solutions for today's business challenges. We've been in business more than 140 years, and continue to innovate by providing you a portfolio that offers the kind of protection your business needs — today. You care about your employees. THE PROBLEM Financial matters cause more stress amongst employees than anything else in their lives. Increased stress means decreased productivity. THE SOLUTION A financial wellness program which includes individual financial coaching. It's a high-value benefit for a very low per-employee cost. THE RESULT Increased focus, loyalty, trust, dedication, productivity. Here's an easy way to improve their well-being allison@allisonbishop.com allisonbishop.com Contact Allison Bishop for a free consultation to see what a financial wellness program might look like for your company. S C R E E N S H O T Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park leaders holding an online community forum to discuss social and economic concerns around the pandemic. What we're seeing is a catastrophe. — Alf Anderson Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

• Cover