In the past few months, we have seen a remarkable explosion of racist and xenophobic sentiments worldwide, disproportionately affecting migrants and other minority racial/ethnic groups. In the wake of COVID-19, we are seeing strong intersections between nationalist and racist discourses as well as intensification of racial ‘contagion’ that echo and draw upon racist histories, stereotypes and beliefs against Asian people.

Further exclusions based on nationality have emerged through lockdown laws and policies whereby, for example, international students and those on temporary visas are being left unsupported by governments and hence becoming particularly vulnerable to financial, housing and nutritional stress, among other disadvantages.

Unequal and discriminatory impacts are arising from policing of those who breach, through necessity or limited choices, what are confusing and contradictory lockdown laws, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

The coming years will make evident the likely considerable socio-political impact that the resurgence of old fashioned racism as a result of COVID-19 – particularly its interpersonal forms – could have across multicultural societies.

Yin Paradies is Alfred Deakin Professor and Chair in Race Relations at Deakin University. His research interests include Health, social and economic effects of racism; Anti-racism theory, policy and practice; Race and intercultural relations, and Indigenous knowledges.

This article is part of a series of COVID-19-related analysis and opinion articles from ADI researchers.