A McDonald’s restaurant in Guangzhou China has been temporarily closed after it banned black people from entering over fears of the coronavirus, according to a report.
The restaurant, located in the industrial city of Guangzhou, displayed a sign reading, “We’ve been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant,” the BBC reported Tuesday.
The sign has since been removed and the branch closed down. In an email, McDonald’s stated that the sign “is not representative of our inclusive values.”
McDonald’s further added that it will use the closure to “further educate the managers and employees on values, which includes serving all members of the communities in which we operate.”
Again, for those who still doubt that Black people and particularly #AfricansinChina are being targeted we feel it is our duty to share this. A sign at a @McDonalds restaurant seems to make this perfectly clear pic.twitter.com/FaveKrdQHi
— Black Livity China (@BlackLivityCN) April 11, 2020
The incident comes as racial tensions mount in the city, which is a hub for African traders and home to China’s largest African communities.
Hundreds of African nationals living in China said they have been evicted from their apartments and hotels in Guangzhou. They have described the development as discriminatory.
Guangzhou is home to one of China’s largest African communities and has become a hub for African traders buying and selling goods to the continent.
There are rising concerns in China over the increase in number of imported Covid-19 cases, which authorities fear could fuel a second outbreak.
People traveling to Guangzhou are required to undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days as part of measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
As of 7th April, a tally of reported cases compiled by AFP stood at more than 15,346 for all of Africa out of which over 1,174 have recovered with 835 deaths.
