YvonneHines
Canada WestJet aircraft had to turn its head in the middle of the journey to Jamaica after passenger James Potok, 29, joked that he was infected with the corona virus.
Flight West Airlines flight 2702, departing from Toronto, was on its way to Montego Bay, Jamaica, on February 3 when it was interrupted after James Potok stood up saying he had been to Wuhan, China and corona virus infection.
James Potok gave an interview to Canadian press on February 4 Photo: Global News
The crew immediately handed the mask and rubber gloves to Potok, asking him to move behind the plane.
"With utmost care, our crew has complied with all regulations on infectious diseases on board, including isolating an individual making an unfounded statement regarding the corona virus." WestJet reports.
After being informed of the incident, the flight captain decided to return to Toronto. America, the transit point of the flight, forbids people who have ever been to China.
At Toronto airport, Potok was checked by medical staff and confirmed that there were no symptoms of acute pneumonia caused by the new strain of corona virus (nCOV).
Police determined the male passenger's statement was "unfounded" and arrested him on charges of "disrupting". Potok will go to court on March 9. Meanwhile, WestJet apologized to the passengers and transferred them to a new flight that departed on the morning of February 4.
In an interview with Global News, Potok said he flew to Jamaica several times a year and used to make similar jokes. Male passenger identified himself as an artist and desired to attract attention on social networks.
"I have a camera. I want a video that goes viral online," Potok said. "Any promotion to myself is a good thing."
However, Potok still admits what he did was "wrong". "I destroyed the flight of over 200 people. I'm extremely sorry," he said.
The outbreak of pneumonia originating in Wuhan has spread to 25 countries and territories around the globe, causing more than 490 deaths and more than 24,500 infections, and Canada currently has 4 confirmed cases positive for nCoV. The Canadian government said it was waiting for Chinese approval to organize an evacuation flight of about 300 citizens from Wuhan.
