Krispy Kreme is blasted for handing out 420,000 free doughnuts after riot police were called in to enforce public health orders when crowds swamped stores around Australia
- Krispy Kreme gave out doughnuts to people who had birthdays during lockdown
- The Riot Squad was called in to enforce public health orders in Penrith, Sydney
- NSW Police confirmed they were called to several Krispy Kreme stores
Krispy Kreme has been slammed for handing out 420,000 free donuts while Australia faces a second coronavirus wave.
The dessert giant gave away boxes of a dozen original glazed donuts to customers who celebrated a birthday in lockdown, between March 13 and July 13.
A large group of people flouted social distancing measures while queuing outside the Penrith store in Sydney's west on Monday.
New South Wales Police confirmed they were called to several Krispy Kreme stores around Sydney to help the flow of heavy traffic and crowd control.
Hordes of eager customers were seen at the Auburn store, in Sydney's west, where the police riot squad were forced to disperse crowds
The dessert giant gave away boxes of a dozen original glazed donuts to customers who celebrated a birthday in lockdown, between March 13 and July 13. Pictured: crowds at Penrith
Crowds got so large the Riot Squad was also called in to enforce social distancing and public health orders.
Hordes of eager customers were also seen at the Auburn store, on Parramatta Rd, where the police riot squad were forced to disperse crowds.
NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke said the timing of today's pop-up promotion was 'nonsensical and defies logic'.
'We have people in NSW who have lost jobs, people who have missed the opportunity to farewell their loved ones at funerals, and of course, people who have lost their lives due to COVID-19,' he said.
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'Promotions like this do nothing to assist in maintaining social distancing which is vital to stopping the spread of the virus.
'Police are examining which, if any, breaches may have occurred and will take appropriate action where required.'
Sydney residents were just as frustrated by the giveaway, with many taking to social media to blast the donut company.
'Shocked that you would encourage people to go out during a pandemic for a free doughnut, seriously,' one person wrote.
More than 20 cases have been linked to the Crossroads Hotel outbreak while several other venues have been put on alert after being potentially exposed to the virus
The state recorded 14 new COVID-19 cases as of 8pm on Sunday with four in hotel quarantine, two being NSW residents who caught the virus in Victoria, and eight being linked to the Crossroads Hotel outbreak
'I understand this is a kind gesture, but I cannot stress how insensitive it is to run this promotion in a hotspot in Victoria, and force police to close the area due to the influx of people,' another comment read.
In a statement Krispy Kreme Australia said staff 'adhere to the current state government requirements for hygiene and social distancing'.
The backlash comes as more than 20 cases have been linked to a Sydney pub outbreak while several other venues have been put on alert after being potentially exposed to the virus.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Monday that 10 coronavirus cases were now directly linked to the Crossroads Hotel in southwest Sydney while 11 cases were indirectly connected.
The state recorded 14 new COVID-19 cases as of 8pm on Sunday with four in hotel quarantine, two being NSW residents who caught the virus in Victoria, and eight being linked to the Crossroads Hotel outbreak.
Dr Chant later on Monday confirmed an additional eight cases had been reported up to midday - all linked to the Crossroads Hotel.
'You can see how rapidly COVID can spread if we do not act promptly,' she told reporters in Sydney.
All patrons of the Casula pub, who entered from July 3 to 10, must self-isolate and are being urged to get tested as a precaution.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection at the pub with further test results expected this week.
While Dr Chant said it was premature to confirm how the outbreak started, she noted it could have been introduced through a Victorian contact.
The pub had a COVID-19 safe plan and authorities were able to get contact details of some patrons but the 'issue of implementation' is being investigated, Dr Chant added.
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