Many companies in the kingdom are showing their true colours and joining together to foster community support as the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to cause chaos across the globe.

New York Coffee is one such brand, with the Bahrain-based coffee house and roastery showing its appreciation of the efforts of healthcare workers combating the deadly virus by providing free beverages daily.

More than 500 free drinks have been handed to doctors, nurses and paramedics in the company’s three branches in Manama, Hamala and Adliya.

Jocelyn Varghese, the marketing co-ordinator of New York Coffee, said: “Three weeks back when the situation started to get worse, we decided as a company that we had to do something to show our support and help the community.

“Our brand is all about developing social culture and fostering stronger ties with each other, and there is no simpler way of doing this than sharing a warm cup of coffee.

“We specifically wanted to show our appreciation to healthcare workers who have put themselves on the line and shown incredible bravery during this troubling time, so we have briefed our staff to offer any professional who visits us a free drink.”

Any healthcare worker visiting a New York Coffee store and showing a valid medical ID card are entitled to a free drink in any of the three outlets. The offer will extend indefinitely until such time as the coronavirus crisis abates.

New York Coffee’s move is in line with other outlets who have launched similar initiatives. Earlier, GDNonline reported how Radford Cox’s team at Big Texas Barbeque and Waffle House are distributing free soup to workers affected by the virus.

Ms Varghese said: “After we announced this campaign on social media, many other restaurants and coffee shops followed suit and have brought out their own exclusive offers for healthcare workers.

“We are proud of sparking this movement and we hope that through working together and supporting our shared community, we will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.”