Guangzhou, China is the latest location of the coronavirus outbreak and the Chinese government is treating some people in that region differently than others.
African migrants in Guangzhou, China are being evicted from their apartments and hotel rooms after local government officials blamed black people for a string of recently reported coronavirus cases.
After a massive crackdown of Africans in Guangzhou saw peopleevicted from their apartments and hotel rooms even after they’ve tested negative for Covid-19 or completed 14-day isolation periods, many continue to be caught in a state of limbo, wandering the streets with their personal belongings, sleeping rough at night, and waiting to hear from the consulates of their respective countries.
Apart from having to experience the humiliation of getting unceremoniously thrown out of accommodation that they paid for, they have also had to suffer the indignity of getting turned away from restaurants, convenience stores and other retail shops.
With nowhere to go and nothing to eat, many have had to rely on other members of the foreign community and kind-hearted locals to stay nourished and warm at night.
One man who thought he might be able to buy himself a meal at McDonald’s had to leave hungry. An employee at the Citic Plaza outlet of the fast-food chain handed him a notice that read:
"We’ve been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant. For the sake of your health consciously notify the local police for medical isolation, please understand the inconvenience caused. police TEL:110"
GUANGZHOU, CHINA - APRIL 10: Members of a medical assistance team from Guangdong province arrive at Baiyun International Airport on April 10, 2020 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China. Medical assistance teams started leaving Hubei Province as the epidemic outbreak in the hard-hit province has been subdued. (Photo by Chen Jimin/China News Service via Getty Images)