McDonald’s is issuing an apology after footage showing a notice that was being displayed inside one of its restaurants in China saying that black people were “not allowed to enter” went viral online.

Footage that has been circulating on social media over the past few days shows the sign being displayed at a restaurant in Guangzhou, according to CNN.

“We’ve been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant,” the notice read. “For the sake of your health, consciously notify the local police for medical isolation, please understand the inconvenience caused.”

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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

A spokesperson for the McDonald’s Corporation told The Hill in a statement on Tuesday that "as a brand, as a company and as more than 2.2 million people serving nearly 120 countries around the world, this is not representative of our inclusive values."

"Immediately upon learning of an unauthorized communication to our guests at a restaurant in Guangzhou, we immediately removed the communication and temporarily closed the restaurant," the statement continued.



"As part of the temporary closure of this restaurant, we will take the opportunity to further educate managers and employees on our values, which includes serving all members of the communities in which we operate," the statement concluded.

According to CNN, the incident comes as more Africans in the city have said they are being targeted due to a rise in anti-foreigner sentiment amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Some community leaders in the city told the BBC that a number of Africans have been evicted from their apartments and hotels in recent weeks as unfounded theories proliferate online about how the virus has been spreading among certain groups.