Canada Flight to Jamaica Forced to Turn Back After Coronavirus “Prank”

A flight with 243 passengers on a WestJet Flight en route to Montego Bay on Monday, had to turn back after a man stood up almost halfway through the flight and declared containing Coronavirus.

James Potok

“Out of an abundance of caution,” the flight crew followed all protocols for infectious disease on board, WestJet said.

Two additional flights scheduled for that day and route were also cancelled.

The man, 29-year-old James Potok from Ontario, Canada, has since been charged with one count of mischief and one count of breach of recognizance, also known as breach of peace bond. Potok, who claims to be an artist and travels to Jamaica five times per year, says he was just looking for a viral moment.

To date, Coronavirus has infected more than 20,400 and killed 425, with the numbers climbing.