Oxford Hills businesses taking a wait and see on ‘vaccine passports’ and requirements

NORWAY — Businesses around Oxford Hills are taking individual approaches on managing the safety of employees and customers regarding COVID-19, although most declined to discuss their policies on the record at all.

With some eateries in southern Maine announcing that customers will need to show proof of vaccination before being served, the balance of employee and customer safety with vaccination choice is a difficult issue for local establishments.

Of five Oxford Hills area restaurants contacted by the Advertiser Democrat, Dave Hunter of Smokin’ Dave’s Backyard BBQ in Norway was the only owner willing to talk about his business’ protocols regarding masks and vaccinations.

“We have talked about that,” Hunter acknowledged during a phone interview last week. “We decided against it. It puts staff in an awkward position to have to police people over a vaccine.”

Hunter also said that some of his employees have refused the vaccine, due to the information they are seeing on social media. He is not requiring it, but now that the vaccine is available, Smokin’ Dave’s will no longer pay unvaccinated staff if they have to miss work for COVID-related issues. Before, Hunter said the restaurant had paid employees when they could not report to work.

As of last Friday, Smokin’ Dave’s had no notices on the front door about masking, vaccinations or social distancing. Hunter said after public gathering restrictions were loosened his restaurant continued to have fewer tables set up to allow for more space between customers.

He said he and his wife were both vaccinated as soon as it was available to them.

“People need to d0 what’s best for them,” Hunter said. “But if it is required to stay open, we will follow the mandates just as we have.”

Several Maine colleges and universities, and businesses like Walmart and Tyson Foods have announced vaccine requirements. Starting this month Bangor Savings Bank is requiring that all new hires be vaccinated against the virus.

Norway Savings Bank has no plans to follow suit, according to Patricia Shields, NSB’s vice president for human resources operations.

“For the protection of all employees, we currently have a Stand Up Mask Up policy in place that requires all employees to mask up if they are not sitting in an enclosed office by themselves,” Shields said in an email statement. “Social distancing is also in our protocols. Masking and social distancing is a requirement regardless of vaccination status. We also have door signage indicating we highly recommend customers to mask when on the premises.

“We have continued to educate our employees …. through our Wellness Program, written material and webinars. Multiple resources and support have been used to support our employees as they work though the many difficulties the pandemic has presented, including paid time for those that are testing, infected and recovering, supporting family members, or obtaining a vaccination.”