Officials are taking steps to protect Asian merchants from losing business amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Gov. Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong and other leaders had dinner Tuesday at a Chinese restaurant.

They say Asian restaurants are hurting due to fears of the coronavirus. The group says supporting those businesses is important and urge people to not to act out of fear.

Tong says he is watching carefully to make sure fear of the virus does not spur hate crimes.