In response to some of the disturbing goings-on happening in Guangzhou that have outraged the African community, the city’s US consulate-general has issued a special safety alert to African-Americans.

While we haven’t yet heard of African-Americans getting evicted from their apartments and hotel rooms like their counterparts from the continent, it appears they’re also getting turned away from restaurants and stores.

In the email titled “Discrimination against African-Americans in Guangzhou” that was sent on Saturday, the consulate-general warned of “heightened scrutiny” of foreign nationals, as well as mandatory Covid-19 tests and two-week supervised quarantine:

In response to an increase in COVID-19 infections, officials in the Guangzhou metropolitan area escalated scrutiny of foreign nationals. As part of this campaign, police ordered bars and restaurants not to serve clients who appear to be of African origin. Moreover, local officials launched a round of mandatory tests for COVID-19, followed by mandatory self-quarantine, for anyone with “African contacts,” regardless of recent travel history or previous quarantine completion. African-Americans have also reported that sorne businesses and hotels refuse to do business with them. The U.S. Consulate General advises African-Americans or those who believe Chinese officials may suspect them of having contact with nationals of African countries to avoid the Guangzhou metropolitan area until further notice. Without advance warning, officials might require such individuals to submit to a COVID-19 test and undergo 14 days of supervised quarantine at their own expense. All U.S. citizens in China are subject to local law. If you violate Chinese laws, even unknowingly, you may be arrested, expelled, or imprisoned. The Chinese legal system can be opaque, and the interpretation and enforcement of local laws may be arbitrary. The judiciary does not enjoy independence from political influence. U.S. citizens traveling or residing in China may be subject to heightened scrutiny by Chinese local law enforcement and state security. They should carry identity documents at all times.

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