Muswellbrook: Man allegedly claims coronavirus, coughs at cop

A Hunter Valley man has been charged after he allegedly tried to get out of a breath test by claiming he had coronavirus and intentionally coughed at police.

Police stopped a man on Torbuk Av, Muswellbrook for a breath test. Google street view.

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A Hunter Valley man who allegedly claimed he had coronavirus and intentionally coughed on a police officer to get out of a breath test has been charged with drink driving and assaulting police.

Just after 4pm Tuesday afternoon, police noticed a Holden Commodore stopped in the middle of the road on the Pacific Highway at Muswellbrook.

When police tried to approach the vehicle, it allegedly drove off, before finally stopping on Tobruk Venue.

Police allege when they tried to breath test the 42-year-old man, he told them he was infected with COVID-19 before intentionally coughing in the direction of the officer.

Muswellbrook Police Station. Google street view.

But police were able to breath test the man - who allegedly returned a positive reading of 0.274 - more than five times over the legal limit.

He was arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged.

Local health authorities were notified but it was found the man was not infected with COVID-19.

He was granted conditional bail and will appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on April 6.