McDonald’s in China apologizes for sign banning black people amid coronavirus pandemic

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McDonald’s has been under fire after reports surfaced that one of its locations in Guangzhou, China were reportedly banning Black customers from entering the restaurant amid the coronavirus pandemic.

China McDonald’s reportedly banning Black customers 

The restaurant displayed a sign that read “We’ve been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant.”

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

Apology

The McDonald’s Corporation issued a statement saying the sign, which has since been removed, is “not representative of our inclusive values.”

The location was also temporarily closed to “further educate managers and employees on our values, which includes serving all members of the communities in which we operate,” the statement added.

Racial tensions in China

Guangzhou is known to have the largest African community in China. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, racial tensions have sparked between Africans and the locals.

In recent weeks, hundreds of Africans in the southern Chinese city were evicted from hotels and apartments after online rumors that the coronavirus was spreading among African people, community leaders told BBC.

McDonald’s said it is administering “diversity and inclusion” training at the store.