ATB-Market, a prominent supermarket chain in Ukraine, is set to implement a new operational policy that will involve halting customer service every day at 9:00 AM for a moment of silence. This initiative aims to honor those who have lost their lives due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The decision follows internal recommendations aimed at promoting national identity. During this designated time, all checkout operations will pause, with staff members, including cashiers, ceasing their activities, except for essential services.
Implementation Details
At 9:00 AM, a nationwide moment of silence will be observed across all ATB stores. Employees will stop serving customers and all work processes will be suspended for one minute. Following this, the Ukrainian national anthem will be played for one minute, during which staff are expected to stand in respect.
Timeline for Changes
The exact start date for this new practice has not yet been announced. Currently, these measures are based on recommendations that are pending approval through an internal company directive.
Background on the Moment of Silence
The daily moment of silence in Ukraine has been observed since March 16, 2022, as per a presidential decree. At 9:00 AM, citizens pay tribute to those who have died as a result of the armed aggression by Russia against Ukraine.
In various cities, this moment is marked by countdowns broadcast through loudspeakers, and in some cases, traffic in city centers is temporarily halted. Recently, it was reported that in Kyiv, the moment of silence will be announced through the city’s alert system.
ATB-Market plans to introduce a daily moment of silence at 9:00 AM to honor victims of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This initiative will pause all customer service during this time, reflecting a commitment to national identity.