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Coronavirus: US plane diverted after passengers upset by sneezing
LOS ANGELES, March 10, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Mounting concern over the spread of
coronavirus was apparently behind a US flight being diverted at the weekend
after passengers became upset over someone sneezing and coughing.
United Airlines told AFP in a statement that the flight — headed from
Eagle, Colorado, to Newark, New Jersey — was diverted on Sunday afternoon to
Denver’s international airport.
The plane was allowed to continue on to New Jersey after a small group of
people who raised a ruckus over fears a passenger who was sneezing and
coughing may be sick with the virus were taken off the flight, local media
quoted officials as saying.
The airline said the incident “was in no way a medical situation.”
It told local media that the passenger who was sneezing had allergies and
was evaluated and allowed to stay on the flight.
“After landing safely, the aircraft was met by law enforcement” the airline
said.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 0821 hrs