Individuals who refuse to take organized nucleic acid tests with no justifiable reason will face administrative or even criminal punishment, Shanghai police said on Saturday.

If someone is criminally convicted for causing serious consequences to disease prevention and control, they can be sentenced to up to seven years behind bars.

Police also warned those who scuffle with workers at nucleic acid test sites could be held legally liable as well.

On Saturday, a male resident surnamed Yan in Songjiang district was given administrative punishment by police for refusing to join organized nucleic acid tests.

Shanghai is currently under phased lockdown to curb the spread of the virus while residents undergo nucleic acid and antigen tests organized at their communities.

Contact the writer at zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn