Shenzhen — A woman was wrestled to the ground and arrested by police recently for allegedly refusing to wear a face mask amid the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak in China.

On Jan 26, the local government of Shenzhen in southern Guangdong province ordered its estimated 113 million citizens to wear surgical face masks when in public areas. Violations of the order were made a punishable offence, according to a report on Feb 2 by The Sun UK.

The woman, whose surname is Qui, was believed to be in violation of the province-wide order. The 51-year-old was confronted by several shoppers in the Space supermarket, inside the Kingkey Banner Center shopping mall, to put on a face mask or leave the premises. She refused, argued with them and allegedly spat at them.