15:57

Canadian police have arrested a man on a charge of “mischief” after he falsely told passengers and crew on a Jamaica-bound flight he was infected with coronavirus, forcing the plane to turn back mid-flight, reports Leyland Cecco from Toronto.

The WestJet plane departed Toronto Monday morning for Montego Bay. Two hours into the flight— halfway to its destination— the 29 year old man told passengers he had recently visited China and contracted the virus.

Flight crews quickly gave the man a mask and rubber gloves, requesting he move to the back of the plane.

“Out of an abundance of caution, our crew followed all protocols for infectious disease on board, including sequestering an individual who made an unfounded claim regarding coronavirus,” WestJet said in a statement.

After the pilot was made aware of the situation, the plane turned around midair. Because the passenger’s claims of recently visiting China barred the flight from landing in the US, the pilot was forced to return back in Toronto, where police and medical crews were waiting.

Peel police told reporters the man’s claim of a coronavirus infection were determined to be “unfounded”. He was subsequently charged with mischief and is set to appear in court 9 March.

WestJet apologized to frustrated passengers, placing them on a new flight that departed early Tuesday morning.