Starting on Tuesday, Dalian, Liaoning province, will perform regular nucleic acid testing to reinforce its defense against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Male residents are to be tested on Tuesdays and females on Thursdays.

Those who cannot take tests on weekdays can do it on Saturdays.

"Considering the transmission risks at the community level caused by family gatherings, it is better to identify potential risks early," Qu Gang, deputy director of Dalian's health commission, said at a news conference on Monday.

"In principle, all residents in the city should take nucleic acid tests once a week."

The city has set up more than 2,300 fixed nucleic acid testing sites and some mobile sites. Residents can reach a site within a 15 minute walk and take a test in less than 20 minutes.

Regular testing aims to detect potential risks in a timely manner and eliminate the virus dynamically to minimize its spread.

If an individual fails to take a regular test as required and subsequently infects others, he or she must bear legal responsibility, Qu said.