One week after the terror attack that left seven people injured at Countdown’s LynnMall supermarket, Countdown staff held a private blessing, conducted by a local Kaumātua, outside their store.
“The blessing was something very important for our team, to provide some peace, but also to support them as they prepare to welcome the local community back into the store,” says Countdown’s General Manager of Safety, Kiri Hannifin.
“We remain focused on the ongoing wellbeing of our LynnMall store team and, since the attack [on 3rd September], we have been wrapping support around them all and ensuring they have the specialised help they need.”
Countdown hopes to reopen the store on 10th September with increased security measures. Hannifin says: “We would ask that our team are given the privacy to return to work in peace, and to go about their normal lives as they heal. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the incident and we are wishing them well as they recover,” says Hannifin.
Trading hours for regions in Level 2
All Countdown stores outside of Auckland, which are now at Alert Level 2, moved back to their regular trading hours on Thursday 9 September.
Hannifin said: “With customers adjusting to Alert Level 2 and the supply chain and stores seeing reduced pressure, we’re really pleased to be able to return to normal trading hours in most of our stores.
“Customers throughout the country are doing a great job when it comes to wearing their masks in our stores – including at Alert Level 2. We’d ask that they keep it up and continue to be kind to our teams working in stores.”
Countdown stores throughout the Auckland region, from Warkworth to Pōkeno, will continue to operate with shorter hours from 8am – 9pm. This excludes Countdown Mangere East and Countdown Manukau will close slightly earlier at 7pm and Countdown Mangere Mall and Countdown Onehunga will close at 8pm, due to some team still needing to isolate at home.
Auckland stores will continue to open their doors early for medical personnel, MIQ and emergency workers from 7am to 8am every day, giving them time and space to pick up the food and essentials they need.
